Fei-Mei Chou dies at 81; beloved sprinter, jumper, friend of many

Fei-Mei at Olathe.

Fei-Mei at Olathe.

Fei-Mei Chou of Sunnyvale, California, has lost her fight with stomach cancer, I’m very sad to report. Her daughter, Ri-Chee, writes that “she fought a valiant battle for 8 months, but sadly, she passed away last night (August 25.). Please share this with the Masters community. That was such an important part of her life.” Indeed. She competed in many masters nationals and worlds, as recently as Lyon and Jacksonville last year in W80. She sprints in this 2015 indoor nationals 60-meter dash, losing only to Irene Obera. I wrote about her cancer fight in January. I’ll share funeral details and a longer obituary when I get info. Meantime, all our prayers to her friends and family. She’ll be missed.

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August 26, 2016

8 Responses

  1. Karen Vaughn - August 26, 2016

    One of my first Master’s meets over 20 years ago was a Club West Meet in Santa Barbara where I remember seeing Fei Mei Chou enter multiple events. I’ve always been amazed at her stamina and her professionalism. She will be missed.

  2. Mary Harada - August 27, 2016

    This is very sad news. II competed against Fei Mei and ran with her on relay teams for many years. She was a fine runner who had great enthusiasm for track and field. I had the honor of being on the W 80 4 x 400 relay in Lyon last summer when we broke the WR for the age group. She will be missed.
    My sympathy to her family and especially to her husband who faithfully traveled with her to many track meets with camera in hand.

  3. Kathy Bergen - August 27, 2016

    Fei Mei was such a sweet lady. Always smiling. I will miss her cheerfulness at the meets. My condolences to her family. I will keep her in my prayers.

  4. Rob Jerome - August 27, 2016

    Very sad news. Her passing is almost exactly one year to the day that she set a W80 relay World Record with teammates Irene Obera, Christel Donley, and Flo Meiler at the Lyon WMAC.

  5. Emma McGowan - August 28, 2016

    R.I.P Ms Fei Mei…
    It was an honor to meet you last year at World championships…we will miss you..

  6. Peter L. Taylor - August 28, 2016

    Fei Mei was a wonderful, wonderful person and an absolute joy to have in our meets. What a kind lady she was. Her courage in her last 8 months was so compelling. I have tears in my eyes as I write this about our sweet Fei Mei.

  7. Annelies Steekelenburg - August 31, 2016

    Fei Mei, it was such a pleasure to have known you.I will miss you so.

  8. andrea winkler - September 2, 2016

    Fei Mei was an inspiration to me at track meets over the last 6 years. I’m sad that she suffered for 8 mos. and will no longer run so fast for her age, and that I will no longer see and chat with her at races. Deep sympathy to her family!

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