Ailin Xu

At just 16 years old, she entered Tongji University, where she studied architecture and structural engineering. She graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering—an early reflection of her lifelong dedication to learning and excellence.

She spent more than 15 years with the Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Company, contributing to the design of tunnels beneath rivers and seas. She then devoted over 15 years as a professor in the Civil Engineering Department at Tongji University, where she taught statics and dynamics and mentored many college students. After moving to the United States, she continued her career for over 15 years as a structural engineer, contributing to the design of buildings, bridges, and U.S. Air Force aircraft hangars, leaving a lasting legacy through her work.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ailin had a deep love for reading, learning, and drawing. She found joy in quiet moments with books, appreciated beauty in art and design, and carried a natural curiosity about the world. She was known for her strength, intelligence, and steady presence, as well as her deep care and devotion to her family. She valued education, perseverance, and dignity, and passed these values on to the generations who followed her.

Ailin, of Keller, Texas, passed away on April 10, 2026, at the age of 86. She was preceded in death by her parents, Tianhong Xu and Xushi Xu. She is survived by her beloved spouse, Guoxiang Dai; her daughter, Sharon Arigold; and her cherished grandchildren, Ty Ponzo, Anna Ponzo, Kade Ponzo, and Andrew Core.

She met life with strength, endured its hardships with dignity, and leaves behind a legacy that will not fade.