Jane Shih

Jane C. Shih, devoted mother, award-winning author, loving spouse, beloved sister and dear friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Cary, North Carolina on November 7, 2024, after a years-long journey with Alzheimer's Disease.

Jane Chu-hui Shih was born November 24, 1939 in Taipei, Taiwan, the oldest of seven children. Upon graduation from National Taiwan Normal University, she married Jason Shih in 1966. In 1969, she and Jason, along with their then two-year-old son, emigrated to the US in order for Jason to pursue graduate studies at Cornell University. In 1976, Jane and Jason moved their family to North Carolina, where Jason joined the faculty of NC State University, and they planted roots in their adopted hometown of Cary, NC, while also maintaining long-standing ties with Taiwan and China.

Jane was a talented and prolific writer, publishing over 35 books in Taiwan under her pen name, Jian Wan. Amongst her many admired works are Clouds on the Earth, published in 1977 (awarded the Sun Yat-sen Book Award in 1978) and Living, Loving and Learning, a Chinese translation of Leo Buscaglia’s bestselling book (recognized as one of 100 Contemporary Classics in Taiwan). Jane was also a featured columnist for the World Journal newspaper and founding member of the Overseas Chinese Women Writers’ Association (OCWWA). A enthusiastic lifelong learner, Jane earned an MS in Adult Education from NC State University in 1981.

In the Triangle area community of North Carolina, Jane was known as a loving mother and kind teacher, starting the first Chinese Language School in Raleigh, NC in 1982 with other dedicated parents. Now known as Raleigh Chinese Language School (NCRCLS), the school continues to teach Chinese language and culture to students in elementary school through high school. But beyond her many accolades and achievements, she was most proud of her family, always supportive of her husband and his life’s work, encouraging her two sons Giles and Tim in theirs, opening her heart to their spouses, and pouring out her love on all four of her grandchildren. She was warm, kind and generous to all whom she met and had an encyclopedic memory of people’s birthdays, anniversaries and important events.

The long-term care journey for those living with dementia and those who care for them is a difficult one, and the Shih family would like to acknowledge the loving care provided by Eva Zheng, Hsiu-feng Chu, the various caregivers at Always Best Care, and the nurses at Duke Hospice.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents Tong-zhong and Yu-yuan Chien and brother Bang-yan Chien, and survived by her husband Jason, sons Giles and Tim, their spouses May Li Shih and Janny Wu, her sisters Celia Hong, Shan-hui Tu, Anita Wu, Ellen Hu and brother Mao-yan Chien, and many nieces and nephews, as well as four grandsons.

There will be a Celebration of Jane Shih’s Life at 3:00 pm on Saturday December 7 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home at 200 SE Maynard Rd., Cary, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that guests consider a donation to Dementia Alliance of North Carolina.