Sandy Lo came to New York from Taiwan when she was 40. She brought a strong work ethic with her as she progressed up the ladder in the garment industry. When she retired at age 70, she volunteered instead by joining the Tzu Chi Organization as a vegetarian chef, a skill and interest picked up from her father's restaurant in Taiwan. Sandy worked tirelessly to help others, even if it meant getting up at 4:00 in the morning and enduring New York's harsh winters. On February 13, 2013, Sandy died suddenly from a hemorrhaging stroke at age 78. Two days later, as she requested in her will, she donated her organs and saved five lives.

Sandy's Story

In 1978, Sandy Lo immigrated to New York from Taiwan at the age of 40. She had a strong work ethic. Sandy started out working in a restaurant, and then quit her job to become a sample garment maker. After two years, she opened her own alternating garment business in New York City's uptown. Her skill in sewing and garment making earned her an outstanding reputation, and her business bloomed.

Sandy worked nonstop and often tired herself out. After five years, she transferred to a sample garment managing job in a top-notch fashion company where she supervised large groups of employees. After 10 more years, she finally retired at age 70. But her real work was not over.

When Sandy was young on Taiwan, she helped her father run a restaurant. Every day, she watched her father cook and developed her own interest in gourmet cooking. So when she retired, she joined the Tzu Chi Organization as a vegetarian chief. From 2004 onward, Sandy went to the Tzu Chi Flushing branch every day and led the vegetarian cooking team to make delicious vegetarian food and promote a sustainable eco-friendly diet.

Harsh New York weather was never an obstacle for Sandy. Even in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, 78-year-old Sandy woke at 4:00 each morning, took a 20-minute walk to Tzu Chi, and cooked healthy and delicious hot food for Hurricane Sandy victims. She worked nonstop for many weeks.

On February 14, 2013, early in the morning, Sandy Lo suddenly died of a hemorrhaging stroke early in the morning. Two days later, as stated in her will, she donated her organs and saved five fortunate lives.

Sandy Lo will always be remembered for her enthusiasm towards helping others, her steely determination to work hard under any circumstance, and her unwavering kindness which has influenced the lives of all who knew her. She will never be forgotten.