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Mother of Flushing leader mourned in Buddhist rite

By Scott Sieber

Chen's mother, Zen Men Kung Chen, 95, died on Nov. 25 at New York Hospital Queens of pneumonia, setting into motion the seven-week Buddhist tradition during which the family meets once a week at the temple on 41st Avenue in Flushing to perform a series of chanting prayers meant to help Chen's spirit find her way to the afterlife.Ethel Chen said the critical 49th day of the ritual in which the family participates in an elaborate four-hour chant was a bitter-sweet moment.””This is trying to ask my mother to leave in peace,” Ethel Chen said upon the completion of the ritual. “In our way, we wouldn't cry because we want to preserve her spirit and we don't want to make her feel like she couldn't leave us, lingering like a phantom. So we have to be carefree because it is such long, hard work in life. My mother really took care of all of us. After seven weeks of prayer, I feel very calm and peaceful.”Ethel Chen, a retired librarian and Democratic district leader who ran for the Flushing City Council seat in 2001, said her interest in maintaining an active political lifestyle was modeled after her mother's teachings.Born in 1910, the elder Chen attended college to study teaching at Chung Hwa University at a time when women were expected to stay home.”She always said the most important thing for a woman is to have a good education and find her financial independence,” Ethel Chen said. “In school she was a student leader against corruption in the school and the government.”She met her husband Gen. Chien-Chung Chen, who had run away from home to fight against Japanese invaders, through a mutual friend in Nanking. The pair married and eventually escaped the Japanese invasion by fleeing to Taiwan before immigrating to Queens in the late 1960s.Chen became a naturalized citizen and enjoyed painting, studying, Buddhist meditation, martial arts and voting during election time.”She always said we are very lucky to live here,” Ethel Chen said. “She went to vote every time she could. She was very proud.”Chen is survived by five sons, four daughters and 11 grandchildren.She was buried at Mount Pleasant Westchester Cemetery. Reach reporter Scott Sieber by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.