Tai Ho Lee Liu

A devoted wife, a proud mother, a loving grandmother and great-grandmother, the matriarch of her large extended family, Tai Ho lived her life fully, whether working beside her husband in the grocery store business, cooking an authentic meal to nurture those around her table, or keeping in touch with her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews frequently. Tai Ho valued her Chinese heritage, her family’s history, maintaining the traditions and passing them on to the next generations. Tai Ho cherished every moment with her husband and their children, building a life full of hard work, laughter, love, and adventure. She had a curious mind and an insatiable appetite for learning and adventure, never wanting to miss out on any opportunity to explore and grow. Having taken 37 cruises, learned to swim in midlife, taken sewing classes to create beautiful items, and watched YouTube to continue growing her Chinese cooking skills, among other pursuits, she continued to learn. Tai Ho was interested in meeting new people, even in her final days, as she engaged others to learn more about who they were and showered each one with her kindness, humor, and cooking tips, leaving each person with an impression of her genuine interest, love, and care. Tai Ho’s spirit, warmth, love of family, and passion for life will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Tai Ho Tsang was born on May 2, 1931, in China. She met her husband, William Lee Liu, through a family friend in her village, using the traditional custom of matchmaking. They were married in China and moved to California near William’s family to create a home and start a family. In 1953, Tai Ho and William worked beside his brothers to establish a successful grocery business, National Market, in Wasco. In 1968, the family moved to Merced to open another grocery store, Century Mart. While raising their four children, Tai Ho worked steadfastly beside her husband in the grocery stores. She and William, her husband of seven decades, retired from the grocery business and remained in Merced, spending time with family and friends, helping with their precious grandsons, traveling, and exploring new hobbies and interests.

Tai Ho, is survived by three children, Richard (Mamie) Lee Liu, Andrey Lee Liu, and Donald (Patti) Lee Liu; her grandchildren, Brian (Jeana) Liu, Aaron (Liz) Liu, and Jennie Fengru Liu; and her great grandchildren, Charlotte Liu and Isaiah Liu. Her sister-in-law, Xiu Ying, and siblings, Dick (Amy) Tsang, Tony (Jane) Tsang, and Monica (Raymond) Wong.

Tai Ho was preceded in death by her parents, Kwan Tao Tsang and Simei Chen; her loving husband, William Lee Lon Liu; her adored son, Harold Lee; her half sister, Chiu Ngo Tsang (Hong Lau), her brother, Pe Peng Zeng; and her sister, Kwai Fong Ho.

Instead of flowers, memorials in honor of Tai Ho Lee Liu for the Central California Chinese Cultural Center, 500 S. Akers St., Visalia, CA 93277, or Community Hospice and Health Services, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.