Honoring Edline Chun at Memorial Art Gallery
By: Caroline Tucker
Updated: February 26, 2013
Victoria Visiko will never forget the day, 12 years ago, when Edline Chun walked through her Hawaiian studio doors at Gallery Kaua'i.
"She came in and we fell in love with each other. She was magnificent and special and full of Aloha spirit," said Victoria Visiko.
73-year old Chun, who is from Hawaii, became known as "Aunt Eddie," which is a sign of respect.
"Love and kindness and sharing and caring, that's who you want as a friend," said Visiko.
When Rochester Police discovered Chun's body at the bottom of a ravine in Tryon Park early this month, Victoria fell apart.
"I just collapsed on the floor crying, it was just so traumatic," said Visiko,
She and her husband are working with the memorial art gallery to create a memorial in the new sculpture garden.
"Depending on the amount raised we will either plant a tree or install a bench in our sculpture park, a lasting permanent memorial," said Joe Carney, Director of Memorial Art Gallery Advancement.
A tree costs $5,000 and a bench costs $10,000.
Victoria says Edline liked to garden and loved artwork so having a permanent memorial in the sculpture garden is fitting.
"They can just go there and sit and not know her feel her maybe, her spirit," said Visiko,
Police have a person of interest in custody and are holding him on a parole violation.
No arrest has been made, so Victoria is waiting.
"Whatever the case may be I will be there and all the others who loved her will be there as a united front," said Visiko.
In the meantime, a Hawaiian memorial service with close friends will be held this Saturday evening at Mario's restaurant.
"I decided I would not let her memory go softly into the night but that I would shout it from the mountain tops if I would have too," said Visiko.
To make a donation to the memorial fund at the MAG, you can send a gift in memory of Edline Chun to: Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 or contact Joe Carney at jcarney@mag.rochester.edu or 585-276-8942
The events being held in Chun's honor are as follows:
A Hawaiian Cultural Event hosted by Gallery Kaua'i
Saturday, March 2 from 5-8pm at Mario's Restaurant in Pittsford.
It is open to ****only close friends and others who knew Chun****
$10 at the door
Community Memorial Service
Saturday, March 9 at 2pm
St. Mark's & St. John's Church
1245 Culver Road, Rochester NY 14609
****Open to the Public****
RIT Memorial Service
Tuesday, March 5
4:30pm to 6pm
Interfaith Chapel - Student Alumni Building @ RIT
One Lomb Memorial Dr., Rochester, NY 14623
