My Story: Crystal Pui Ying Keung

A gifted kindergarten teacher's journey from Hong Kong to Crewe

Crystal was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a caring daughter, and an inspiring teacher. She was hardworking, optimistic, and unwavering in her faith. Quietly and without seeking recognition, she gave herself to those around her. And whenever kindness was shown to her, she would return it many times over.

Crystal and David met in 1994 and married in 2000. After their wedding, she moved with David to the United States, where they were blessed with two daughters. During her pregnancy with Helen, Crystal faced a threatened miscarriage and endured months of bed rest. Friends advised her to give up, but she chose instead to persevere, sustained by her courage and determination. With David working long hours, she spent many days alone with only the simplest provisions he could leave before work. In those days, without smartphones or tablets, it was an isolating and difficult time. Yet Crystal’s strength made it possible for Helen to be born safely — a testament to her resilience and her love.

In the years the family spent in America, Crystal devoted herself to caring for her daughters and supporting David. She nurtured her children with patience and tenderness. Jenny still remembers learning the Lord’s Prayer from her mother, even before Crystal herself had been baptized — a clear sign of the deep faith already alive in her heart.

Before moving to the UK, Crystal had been a kindergarten teacher in Hong Kong for many years. From her teenage years onward, she dedicated herself to teaching and to the formation of young children. Tireless and disciplined, she pursued her studies in early childhood education while managing work and caring for her family. Despite her many responsibilities, she never neglected the daily needs of her home. She filled her family life with joy — planning outings during holidays, encouraging her daughters with words of praise, and never demanding extraordinary achievements from them, only that they should grow up happy. Her selfless love built a home filled with warmth, peace, and laughter.

Crystal’s dedication as a teacher left a lasting impression on her students and their families. Many parents remained in touch with her long after their children had moved on from kindergarten, because she continued to care about their growth and well-being. For her, neither graduation nor distance could end a relationship. Even after she left Hong Kong, she kept close ties with colleagues and friends, offering encouragement across continents.

When Crystal learned of her illness, she met it with courage and hope. She bore the hardships of treatment with gratitude, seeing even the opportunity to be treated as a gift from God. She continued to encourage other patients with her words and her example, living each day with a thankful heart. She was deeply grateful for the support of her family, friends, and parish community, who gave her strength on the journey.

Crystal’s faith never wavered. She trusted that God had a plan — the best plan — for her life. This trust allowed her to remain peaceful and joyful even in the midst of suffering. She shared her story with others, giving witness to the love of Christ.

All of us who knew Crystal saw in her many virtues worth remembering: her steadfast faith, her positive spirit, her generosity, and her love. Let us carry forward the lessons she taught us. May we love others as she loved, live with faith as she lived, and let one life, as hers did, continue to inspire another.