1930

Inspired by visits to Dr Barnardo’s Homes in the UK to set up Po Kok Free School in Causeway Bay in Hong Kong, and another school by the same name in Macau, to assist girls born into poverty and to help more people understand Buddhism.

 

1931

Given HK$100,000 by Sir Robert in celebration of the Golden Wedding anniversary to Lady Margaret. Clara decides to use the money to build a landmark Buddhist temple on Hong Kong island.

 

1932

Founds Po Kok Buddhist Seminary for girls at Castle Peak in the New Territories.

Starts Light of Humankind Buddhist magazine for local and international readers.

Grandson Robert Hung Ngai born.

“I have memories of my grandmother Clara as every summer we used to live in Ho Tung Gardens (“The Falls”) on the Peak because it was cooler there. Lots of cousins would live up there then because it was vacation time.”

- Reminiscence of Robert H. N. Ho

 

Mid-1930s

Publishes Travelogue on Famous Mountains, recording her journeys to China’s sacred mountains. The book is written in Chinese over the course of a decade and a half, with the assistance of the family’s Chinese tutors.

Clara records her reminiscences in Reflections of Sixty Years, written by assistant Ling Chun Lam. The manuscript is lost during the Second World War.

 

1935

Tung Lin Kok Yuen Buddhist temple, built in Chinese and Western style and named for Robert Ho Tung and Clara, is completed in Happy Valley, where it remains today. Clara serves as Founding Superintendent.

“Clara was a devout Buddhist and built Tung Lin Kok Yuen on Shan Kwong Road. The temple has now been declared a heritage building.

“I would often accompany her to the chanting ceremonies that she frequented there. I do feel she had picked me out from all the cousins. But because of that I had to suffer all those ceremonies. Of course, I am a Buddhist now and appreciate them. But at the time I thought it was so boring! I had to sit there silently, listening to the rituals with nothing to do. I would try to sneak away. But, no! I was always told to sit there.”

- Reminiscence of Robert H. N. Ho

 

1937

Travels with husband to Nanking to meet Nationalist officials, including Chiang Kai-shek, after the Xian kidnapping incident, which has repercussions for their KMT army officer son Robert Shai Lai.

Becomes heavily involved in support activities and fund-raising in Hong Kong for China in the war against Japan together with wives of senior Chinese officials. Becomes Vice-Chairman of the New Life Association and Vice-President of the Hong Kong Chinese Women’s Relief Association.

 

1938

Dies on 5 January at the age of 62 as a result of an asthma/bronchial attack and exhaustion. People report seeing a light at the moment of her passing.

Large-scale public funeral organised on 10 January and thousands watch or participate in the procession. Clara is buried at Chiu Yuen Cemetery.

Clara leaves a will that donates most of her estate to Tung Lin Kok Yuen.

Commemorative Chinese gateway constructed at “The Falls”. The gateway lintel carries the words “Ho Tung Gardens”, the name by which the property is subsequently known.

“On the day she died, we were all up at Ho Tung Gardens. All the sons and daughters were there. My cousins and I were not allowed into her bedroom. Nevertheless, she said she wanted to see me. Just me, out of all the children.

“I went in. She couldn’t talk any more as she was on oxygen. But she waved to me, so I stood there. Everybody stood there. There was not much conversation. After a while, she indicated for me to leave. Then, 15 minutes later, she asked for me again. I went in, she waved to me, and I was led away. Shortly after that she died.

“Why do I say this to you? It is always in my mind that maybe she was giving me a mental sign that I should continue to do the Buddhist work. This is my interpretation anyway. The other cousins and my sister don’t care about this. I am the only one. The root of it is, I am thinking of my grandmother.”

- Reminiscence of Robert H. N. Ho