Mother and sons laid to rest

The bodies of Shuk Tse, 47, and her sons Kevin Kwan, 16, and Douglas Jiang, 10, were laid to rest over the weekend as more than 400 mourners paid last respects to three of the four people killed in a tragic upstate car crash on March 17 as they were headed to a swim meet in Buffalo.
The somber services, held at the Central Funeral Home in Flushing, followed in the Buddhist tradition and featured several dozen members of the Stuyvesant High School chorus singing “Into the West” from “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”
Just a few days earlier, Tse’s brother, Chi Chung Kwan; sister Mei Wan Kwan; and former boss, Jonathan Marks, held a press conference at Councilman John Liu’s office in which they characterized her as a doting, devoted mother, and cautious driver.
“She [Shuk Tse] was very bright, exceedingly responsible, and a consummate mother,” said Marks, an attorney. “She is the last person I would ever think of to put her children in harm’s way. She was an expert driver and extremely cautious in every aspect of her life.”
In addition to coping with their grief, Tse’s family has had to deal with police accounts which blame the fatal wreck on the fact that she apparently stopped in the right traffic lane of the New York State Thruway, allegedly to check a flat tire.
“Those who knew her [Tse] find it inconceivable that she would stop in the middle of the right lane of a busy thruway with her children in the car,” said Assemblyman Jimmy Meng.
“No one besides me can experience how I feel,” said Mei, who became visibly agitated during the press conference. “I lost someone I can rely on. We used to see each other every night and we were happy. Now, there are only four of us [remaining].”
To assist the family with funeral costs, Pi-Chu Hsiao, President of the Chinese Caring Foundation, has already donated a check for $1,500.
Anyone who wishes to help the family financially is asked to make out a check to the Chinese Caring Foundation with “for Mei Wan Kwan” in the memo section.
Donations should be mailed to Chinese Caring Foundation; 41-25 Kissena Boulevard, Suite 131; Flushing, NY 11355.
The fourth victim of the crash, April Lao, 14, will be laid to rest on March 31. Her mother, Karen Lao, 43, and brother Andy, 10 were also injured.
“My wife has been released from the hospital [Westchester Medical Center] and she is in good spirits,” said Kam Lao, who also noted that media presence outside his Whitestone home has prevented his wife from returning. “We expect Andy’s release from the hospital soon. Karen and I truly thank all of the people for their concern and love they have shown,” Lao said.
Those wishing to help the family with financial support should send checks made out to “Karen Lao” to the Office of Council Member John C. Liu, 135-27 38th Ave., Suite 388, Flushing, NY 11354.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was not charged, but in light of the accident – which marked the ninth death on the stretch of the thruway from Harriman to Tuxedo since February 7, 2006 – Meng has called for an investigation of the roadway.