Kai-Yu Clara Lin

Our dearly beloved, Hsia Kai-Yu was born in I-Yang, Hunan, China on May 9, 1943. She moved to Taiwan when she was six years old. Raised as a general's daughter, her parents educated and nurtured her so she grew up unusually bright with a strong sense of honor and duty. After graduating from university, she

became a biology teacher at the Number Two Girl’s High School. She led the students to a first place finish at the National Taiwan Science Fair competition. She was so well loved and respected by her students that even 40 years later in Irvine, she would still have students affectionately called her teacher Hsia.

In 1969, she was awarded a scholarship to study at the Texas A&M School of Graduate Studies. After receiving her Masters of Science degree in 1970, she took a position at Case Western Reserve University Medical School in Cleveland. She was so respected for her work ethic and experience that whenever there was an open position, the Department Chairman would ask her for a recommendation.

In 1971, when the United States handed over control of the island, Diao Yu Tai, to Japan, Chinese American students demonstrated against this in Washington, DC. Kai-Yu drove seven hours through snow covered roads to demonstrate and as a result lost her voice for an entire week afterwards.

Kai-Yu was married to Ta-Shyong in Cleveland in 1971. From the marriage, she was blessed with two wonderful sons and now four beloved grandchildren.

In 1977, she moved from Ohio to Santa Maria, California and took a position teaching at Hancock College. Despite working at Hancock College, she still found time to run a highly successful real estate business. In 1978, she moved to Irvine and worked at the VA Hospital and the University of California Irvine Medical School. In 1989, she retired from biochemistry and transitioned to full time real estate.

One day when she was at the park with Andrew and Anselm, she met Irvine Chinese School Principal Fu. Principal Fu was so impressed with her Chinese

language skills, she immediately offered a job to Kai-Yu. This was the beginning of 30 years of philanthropic work.

Kai-Yu was also an integral part of the Evergreen Chinese Senior Association of Irvine. The Evergreen Chinese Senior Association of Irvine was established in 1989, and General Fan recruited Kai-Yu a few years later. She eventually was named to the Board of Directors and was promoted to Chairman of the Association many years later. With her help and all the board of directors, the association was able to establish a number of interest groups which increased membership to over 500 members.

Today, we are here to say good bye to Kai-Yu and celebrate her life. We know she is resting in the arms of Lord Jesus Christ. God called her up to do a more important duty in Heaven. Although we are sad to see her part, we are very blessed for our time with her and we will miss her forever.