In a heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and unwavering devotion, Du Huzhen, a 103-year-old woman from China, passed away after waiting more than eight decades for her husband, who never returned.
Du Huzhen, who lived in Southwest China’s Guizhou province, took her last breath on March 8. Her family has not disclosed the cause of her death. However, her story has touched countless hearts, as she remained steadfast in her hope that her husband, Huang Junfu, would one day return.
A Love That Defied Time
According to reports, Du Huzhen married Huang Junfu in 1940. However, just a few years into their marriage, Junfu joined the Kuomintang (KMT) army and was sent to war. In 1943, Huzhen managed to locate him and lived with him briefly before returning home when she became pregnant.
She gave birth to their son, Huang Fachang, in January 1944. Though Junfu returned home once, he was soon called back for military duty. Over time, his letters became the only connection between them until they stopped arriving on January 15, 1952.
A Lifetime of Waiting
Despite years of uncertainty, Du Huzhen refused to remarry. Her family recalls her saying, “What if he comes back one day?” She spent her days working in the fields and weaving clothes and sandals in the evenings to support herself and her son.
Historical records from Junyi County suggest that Junfu had settled in Malaysia in the 1950s before eventually moving to Singapore. However, no further information about him ever surfaced.
Tragically, Du Huzhen’s son, who became a teacher in the 1970s, passed away in 2022. When Du Huzhen took her final breath, she was clutching a pillowcase from her wedding as a cherished memory of the love she never abandoned.
Her story serves as a testament to enduring love and loyalty, resonating deeply with people around the world.
