Agnes Chan — former S.F. schoolteacher, civic leader
Agnes Chan, a retired San Francisco teacher and political activist, died in her San Francisco home after a heart attack on April 6. Ms. Chan was 97.
Ms. Chan led several lives, as a mother, a teacher and as a civic leader. She was also devoted to the fine and performing arts and for more than 60 years she was an usher six days a week at theaters and for the Opera and Symphony.
“She was a person who could never sit still. She was always on the go,” said Annette Surez, her granddaughter. She lived in a time when Chinese Americans faced discrimination, but that never stopped or slowed Ms. Chan, who served on nine city and state commissions, and six community organizations.
She was a member of the State Board of Education for seven years and was a former president of the San Francisco Council of the American Red Cross, among other orga- nizations.
“She was never held back by any walls,” said Helen Yim, a longtime friend, “I called her Amazing Grace, She was a mentor to a lot of Chi- nese American females.”
Ms. Chan was born in San Francisco’s Chinatown on Oct. 3, 1917. She was born at home because at that time no Chinese were admitted to San Francisco hospitals.
Her father, who was born in China, was a minister at the San Francisco First Chinese Baptist Church.
Ms. Chan was a child musical prodigy, married young and had two children by the age of 21. She was divorced and enrolled at San Francisco State College at the age of 33. She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees, taught in San Francisco schools for 25 years and was a consultant for the school district for five more years.
She was also active in Republican politics in the city and served for 21 years on the San Francisco County Republican Central Committee.
In her spare time, she was an usher in the city’s theatrical and music venues. Her first performance was Mae West’s one-woman show at the Geary Theater. She ushered all over the city because she liked the work, and what she once called “the greatest advantage of ushering — seeing the show for free.”
Ms. Chan is survived by a daughter, Maureen Gee of Las Vegas, a brother, Luke Chan of Sacramento, a sister, Fran Wong of Mountain View, a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held for Ms. Chan from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday at the San Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. The day was chosen because theaters are dark on Monday and the ushers all have the day off.