Sun Limei (right) works in Guxian village in Ningde, Fujian province, in October 2018. CHINA DAILY

"It is both my mission and my desire to serve the people of the village," said Sun Limei, late Party secretary of Guxian village in Ningde, Fujian province.

Sun, 44, was trying to clear sediment silting up a drain on a bridge over the Jinshaxi River, when she was engulfed by water on Aug 6. She was swallowed by the flood and died.

The flood had been caused by Typhoon Lu Bi, which swept the coastal province in southeastern China in early August.

Sun and three colleagues went out to check the damage. Fearing for the safety of the villagers, they tried to clear the drain, as the river had already begun to inundate farmland along the banks.

"My colleagues and I jumped into the water and tried to lift her out," said Tang Hui, leader of a community work station in the village.

"But she was stuck tight. We could not do anything."

And just like that, the devoted Party secretary was gone, leaving her heart and soul in Guxian, the village she had helped develop for 17 years, improving its economy and caring for those in need.

Before Sun arrived, Guxian followed a single agriculture model, with most inhabitants making their living from planting vegetables in a small number of fields.

She immediately began to search for better solutions, settling on the idea of renting unused land elsewhere to set up a professional cooperative. She also tapped vacant land in the village for rent, and made investments to widen income sources.

Three years ago, Sun encouraged her colleague, Sun Licheng, to start a farm and employ over 100 villagers. As a result of the farm's profits, the average income of residents in Guxian has risen to 24,000 yuan ($3,723) per year.

The village began to prosper, and by the end of last year, fiscal revenues had grown to 150,000 yuan.

In addition to improving the village economy, Sun was also concerned with those in need, especially poverty-stricken families.

"Every day after work, she would visit households and take note of their difficulties," said Sun Hanying, deputy head of the Guxian Party branch.

She practically lived in her office, always prepared to help and volunteer her time.

"Once, when we needed money for my child's treatment, she helped me collect money and personally gave me 500 yuan," said Yang Zhaoke, a 73-year-old farmer.

Because Yang's wife and his sons were not able to do physical labor, Sun Limei applied for subsidies for them, and helped the family improve their farming to increase their incomes.

Sun also attached great importance to education. In 2016, a villager, Sun Ze'an, was diagnosed with angioma. His daughter, who had been admitted to Fuzhou University, decided to go to work and earn money, instead. "We need to make sure your daughter's dream of an education doesn't end," Sun Limei told Sun Ze'an, and then helped the young woman apply for student aid. In the end, she was able to enroll in the university.

Because of the time Sun Limei devoted to work, her family life was often affected. She had planned a family trip before the May Day holiday, but had to cancel because she was so busy. She even did not have time to look after her father when he was hospitalized with a bleeding stomach. "Sometimes, I wasn't able to understand my mother and I complained to her," said her son, Yang Xin.

Yang Liang, her husband, agreed that the family struggled without her presence. "But she kept the family in her heart," he said. "I know her. It was her duty to commit herself to work as a Party member."

The villagers and partners Sun Limei worked with were saddened by her loss. "I could not believe that she was gone," Yang Zhaoke said.

Gone was the devoted grassroots Party leader, leaving the people of Guxian with feelings of nostalgia and respect.

"Greatness is found in people who are dedicated to their jobs. I am proud of my mother," said Yang Xin.

In late August, the Fujian provincial committee of the Communist Party of China and the All-China Women's Federation honored Sun Limei posthumously.