Chia Ming Tai

She was born November 11th, 1917 to her father, Jun-Yi Shen, and mother, Hua-Yun Yan, in Luzhi, China. Chia Ming was the eldest of five children, and is survived by one sister. Raised in Luzhi and Suzhou, she taught secondary school for several years. She married Chen-To Tai in 1941 and moved to the United States in 1947. Like many immigrants, her move to the US was solo by boat across the Pacific and then by train across the US from San Francisco to Boston. While the Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed in 1943, in the period following the repeal only about 100 Chinese people were allowed to immigrate each year. Chia Ming was fortunate to have that opportunity. The trip required her to board a train in California and travel unaccompanied across the country to join her husband in Cambridge, MA where they started a family.

Their first child was born there and in 1949 the young family moved to Palo Alto (CA) and then to Columbus (OH) in 1954. Chia Ming, her husband and five children moved to Sao Jose dos Campos, Brasil in 1956 and resided there for 4 years before returning to the United States and Ohio State University. The family settled in Ann Arbor in 1964 where they joined a vibrant academic/professional community. Chia Ming was a homemaker and strong partner to her professor spouse, renowned for entertaining students, faculty and visiting scholars in their welcoming home.

She was an excellent cook (see the Ann Arbor News 1/6/65: https://aadl.org/taxonomy/term/198203) and parlayed that into Ling Lee, a small Chinese restaurant which was one of the first businesses in Kerrytown. Throughout her life she exhibited grace, gentleness and strength, having survived two global pandemics and witnessing too many wars. Her knitting and sewing creations were a constant source of pleasure and her skill at the mah-jongg table was unmatched. Her ever warm and calm presence will be deeply missed.

A widow for 18 years, Chia Ming found comfort in and bestowed love on her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Predeceased by her husband, Chen-To and grandson Cameron Wen Kuang Tai, she is survived by her sister Jia-Fen, her 5 children: Arthur Wen-Yuan Tai (Joan Keiser) of Ann Arbor, MI, Bing Wen-Ching Tai (Catherine Allen) of East Lansing, MI, Julie Ming Tai of San Francisco, CA, David Wen-Kiang Tai (Connie Mitchell) of Sacramento,CA and James Wen-Huang Tai (Diana Weihs) of Austin, TX; 10 grandchildren: Daniel Chung Ho Tai, Emma Chung Ming Tai, Leah Chung Mei Tai, Sam Chung Hui Tai, Virginia Chung Fen Weihs, Walker Chung To Tai, Margaret Chung Yun Weihs, Ming Chung Teh Tai, Mitchell Chung Kang Tai, Zachary Chung Chia Tai and great grandchildren Margaret, Louisa, Isaac, Rosa, Arthur, Jolene and Leo.

Cremation has taken place and the family will celebrate her legacy in the spring. Please consider donations in her name to the charity of your choice.