Grace Auyang

Dr. Grace Chao Auyang, 83, was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on July 5, 2023. A devoted mother, wife, sister, and professor, Grace touched the lives of thousands of people during her lifetime. Born in Kweilin City, China to Chung-Pin Chao and Der-Zhen Chang, she decided early on to pursue a career in teaching. She demonstrated ceaseless and immutable efforts in her studies and excelled through her education at Taiwan University. She continued her studies in the United States, completing her Master's degree and Ph.D. at Temple University, and completing her postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania. It was there in Philadelphia that she met her late husband, Dr. King Auyang, who passed away just prior to their 40th anniversary. Together, they moved to Ohio so Grace could accept a faculty position at the University of Cincinnati.

Grace had expertise in sociology, psychology, criminology, cultural studies and diversity, and women's studies. She consistently won student-voted awards for her dedication to education. She rose to the rank of Professor with Tenure, Chair of the Department of Behavioral Science, and retired as Professor Emeritus. Her teaching and research also contributed to her love of travel and took her all over the world to six continents.

Grace retired and moved to Columbus, Ohio where she remained very active at the local YMCA and enjoyed gardening, reading, and grandparenting. She built her home in Blacklick to be close to her daughter's family. Grace loved being a grandmother and took every opportunity to make traditions with her grandsons, whether that meant apple picking or pumpkin patching, birthday parties, Sunday suppers, Christmas pajamas or New Year's dim sum. She was forever the loving, doting, candy-giving grandma. Though endlessly giving and kind to the core, she was a strong, determined force of nature throughout her life and modeled a virtuous, faith-filled, and family-focused existence to all who knew her.

Grace is survived by her sisters, Dorothy Chang and Lucy Li, and her brother Dr. Yee Lee Chao who reside in Taiwan, as well as her son, Dr. Edward Auyang and wife, Pari, who reside in Albuquerque, New Mexico with their sons Alexander and Andrew, and her daughter, Dr. Elizabeth Auyang who resides in New Albany, Ohio with her sons William and Alex. She also leaves behind countless friends, students, and colleagues whose lives have crossed paths with hers.

Friends may visit at Schoedinger Northeast Funeral Home 1051 E. Johnstown Rd. on Sunday, July 9th from 9AM - 11AM. A private interment will follow at a later date. To share memories and condolences please visit www.schoedinger.com