Do Wan Fan

For Do Wan Fan of Livonia, Michigan, family was not just an important thing, it was everything. She valued family and love most in life and it is what drove her greatest sense of accomplishment. Do Wan was truly a family-oriented individual – always putting the well-being and needs of her family first. Her charismatic personality was a unique blend of strength, determination, and perseverance mixed with caring, kindness, gentleness and forgiveness that allowed her to easily connect with others and build strong, lasting relationships.

To quote Viola Shipman, “To a life bound by family”, she was “the thread that tied us all together”.

Committed to love of family, Do Wan lived her life devoted to her husband, Sin Chou, and two children, Bill and Wiley, daughter-in-law, Hope and grandchildren, Wesley, Justin, and Kyle. Her husband was the centerpiece of her life and the top priority in all considerations, always working hard to support him. When Sin Chou was traveling and studying engineering in the United States for six years, Do Wan kept the family together back home until they were able to reunite in the United States. She also regularly went back to Taiwan in the summer to care for her father. Time with the grandchildren was very important as after-school pickups often turned into eating snacks and watching movies with grandma and grandpa. It was very clear throughout her life, Do Wan always cared more for her family and relatives than for herself.

Do Wan’s strength and perseverance carried her through many challenging times. One of those times was when she had to travel hundreds of miles by foot with her brother from their home in China to Shanghai for passage to Taiwan. It also translated into a hardworking attitude to provide for her family and ensure they had everything they needed. She worked as a secretary at a utility company to support the family while Sin Chou was in the United States, and then as a seamstress at Macy’s in New York City and at Jacobson’s in East Lansing. Do Wan was also self-employed for many years, earning her own income, where she built a solid network of contacts across the United States, China and Taiwan that trusted and respected her work.

While family and love were what Do Wan valued most in life, she also had an appreciation for food, often combining her love of cooking and sharing meals with her family. Fond early memories from her children include grinding the meat when making wontons together and her grandchildren looked forward to sweet and sour eggs after school. Her family would laugh that they felt they could never eat enough for her. Later in life, Do Wan became a “regular” at Szechuan Restaurant in Canton, Michigan always known for ordering the crispy fish - so much so the owner would go to Eastern Market early to purchase fresh flounder to make sure she was not disappointed. The owner would apologize profusely if he had to substitute. Do Wan looked forward to going out to eat as it was a good way to spend time together, so frequent trips to Chinese restaurants, Red Lobster or any other restaurant most any day of the week was not uncommon.

Some of her family’s fondest memories include seemingly simple moments or ideas that left a big impression on their hearts and minds. Do Wan enjoyed shopping and would spend hours walking around a store, however, she would only make a purchase if she found it on sale or a really good bargain. This at times led her to be somewhat disorganized at home as most of her purchase decisions were based upon a good price rather than on necessity or function. On one occasion Do Wan and Sin Chou went to the Gourmet Garden with their family and Kyle was wearing a simple band t-shirt with the Chinese characters for “ha ha” printed on it - no one realized at the time this shirt would provide such laughter and joy for Do Wan. She also really enjoyed spending her time talking on the phone to her distant relatives and friends as Do Wan had a phone book full of contacts from relationships built across Taiwan, China and the United States.

Do Wan was proud of her Chinese culture, but was also very appreciative of the opportunities afforded to her and her family by coming to the United States. Do Wan’s family and friends, as well as other people she met throughout life, will remember her as a kind woman who never displayed any ill will or anger towards others. Do Wan lived a simple, uncomplicated life, guided by her values to love and care for her family – by far, her greatest blessings.

Born May 26, 1925, Do Wan followed her husband Sin Chou in death on December 7, 2020. The Fan family requests that services honoring Do Wan are private. Interment will be at Eastlawn Memory Gardens, Okemos, MI.

Those desiring may make contributions in Do Wan’s memory to any food bank of their choice. On-line condolences may be made at www.greastlansing.com.