On May 10th, Mother’s Day, Luo Yiling attended the 15th annual “Happy Mother” award ceremony organized by the Flushing Chinese Chamber of Commerce. She assisted in recommending five “Happy Mothers” from the Flushing Blessing Elderly Center to participate in the event. Since 1990, Luo Yiling has been volunteering at the elderly center for 36 years, considering it her second home. She is the chairperson of the center’s executive committee and jokingly calls herself the oldest chairperson in the Flushing community.
Born in Shanghai with ancestral roots in Suzhou, Luo Yiling’s father worked in the securities trading sector in Shanghai before moving to the Sichuan province with the air force system during the war. After the victory in the war, the family briefly returned to Shanghai before escaping the conflict during the civil war, eventually settling in Taiwan.
Reflecting on her journey, Luo Yiling recalls the hardships of evacuating from Nanjing to Taiwan, losing her belongings and documents in the process. In Taiwan, she pursued further education, working during the day and attending night school to earn additional credits, demonstrating a strong work ethic and determination.
After graduating, Luo Yiling worked as a teacher at various schools and even operated her kindergarten, showcasing her passion for education and children. In 1983, after completing her studies in her forties, her husband composed a poem celebrating her achievements and character, highlighting her dedication and righteous nature.
In the early 1990s, Luo Yiling and her husband immigrated to New York, settling in Flushing, a hub for Taiwanese and Hong Kong immigrants. With the increasing immigrant population, the activities at the Flushing Blessing Elderly Center have grown substantially, attracting members from different regions. Over the past thirty years, more than 20,000 individuals have joined the center, with over 3,000 active members today.
Regarding her longevity secrets, Luo Yiling attributes her health to balanced eating habits and moderate exercise. Despite her age of 96, she still prefers preparing her meals following light recipes, particularly enjoying traditional Suzhou dishes like smoked fish.
Luo Yiling stresses the importance of maintaining a disciplined lifestyle and staying active, highlighting the significance of regularity in life. She believes that showing respect to others and treating friends like family are essential tenets for a fulfilling existence.
At over 90 years old, Luo Yiling continues to serve the elderly with dedication and commitment, surpassing her earlier goal of reaching the age of 90 while remaining active and vibrant. Her motto in life, “giving is more blessed than receiving,” reflects her philosophy of selflessness and the impact of kindness on her life and those around her.