Italian Nun Zhao Xiurong Passes Away at 93, Dedicated Over Sixty Years to Taiwan's Mountain Areas
Italian nun Zhao Xiurong, affectionately called 'Mum' by the indigenous community, passed away this afternoon (30th) at the age of 93 after dedicating over sixty years to the indigenous mountain regions of Hsinchu County. Hsinchu Mayor Cheng Chao-Fang expressed his sorrow on Facebook, calling her the 'mother of Jian Shi' and a safe haven for countless indigenous children, comparing her to Taiwan's Teresa.
Zhao, who hailed from Sardinia, Italy, started her career as a nurse. Sixty-five years ago, she felt a divine calling to come to Taiwan, choosing to serve in the most remote and medically underserved areas of Hsinchu County. Mayor Cheng shared that just last month, he met her, and she reminded him to take care of himself; he never expected that would be their last meeting.
Despite her passing, Cheng noted that her spirit lives on in the hearts of those she embraced and nurtured, promising to continue taking care of the children in Jian Shi and Zhubei.
