Martha Hsia

Martha Hsia’s Obituary (September 9, 1930 – November 17, 2022)
Martha Hsia passed away on November 17, 2022. She was 92 years old. Martha is survived by her four children: Patricia Bulack, Fred Hsia, Pauline Armbrust and Phyllis Hsia; ten grandchildren including six from the Bulack family: Jonathan, Alene, Chelsea, Brianna, Daniella, and Ian; two from the Armbrust family: Courtney and Nicole; and two from the Hsia family: Oliver and Wendy Bunn. Also, from the Bulack family are three great-grandchildren: Isaiah, Ezra, and Benjamin.
Martha was born in Nanjing, China in 1930 and spent most of her formative years in Chongqing during World War II. Her father, Zheng Jiemin, was a four-star general and the General National Defense Chief for Chiang Kai Shek. Martha’s mother, Koo Su Fong was a faithful wife and mother suited to the role of entertaining dignitaries and supporting her renowned husband.
For three years before coming to the US, Martha lived in Taipei, Taiwan, and attended National Taiwan University. She continued her studies at the College of St. Teresa in Winona, MN, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in English Literature. After this, she obtained her master’s degree in Social Work at St. Louis University where she met her husband of 55 years, Dr. Sung Lan Hsia, who became a distinguished professor and research scientist for 43 years at the University of Miami. Dr. Hsia’s legacy lives on with a laboratory in his name at the UM Department of Dermatology and Subcutaneous.
Although she has lived in the US for over 70 years, her love for the people of China has never waned. In September 2014, Martha set up a trust fund for a Catholic diocese in Weinan, China whose parishioners often struggle to survive. The funds she contributes each year help to support a loan program for local farmers who use the money to grow healthy crops which they can then sell in the marketplace. The “Martha Mama’s Charity” program has been a marked success with nearly every loan paid back in full. The repaid funds are then rotated back into the program.
Martha was also a concert pianist who could express her feelings through her graceful fingers as they glided across the keyboard to reproduce the moving music of classical greats. She would often accompany her late husband while he sang traditional Chinese folk songs.
Her most cherished legacy is the brilliant paintings she has left behind for all of her loved ones to enjoy in perpetuity. She was a gifted painter who had the ability to capture the spirit and energy in her subject and turn it into a vibrant, beautiful, enjoyable painting—a true reflection of the same qualities people saw in her.
The funeral mass for Martha will be held on Wednesday, November 23 at 1:00 PM at St. Louis Church: 7270 SW 120th Street, Pinecrest, FL 33156