Miranda Chang Liu

Miranda Chang Liu, of Monterey, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 30, 2018, with her loving daughter Grace by her side. She resided and was cared for at Monterey’s Ave Maria Senior Living for the past five and a half years. Born in Japan on November 9, 1919, Miranda celebrated her "99+1" birthday with her loving family and good friends at a local Chinese restaurant. She was pleasantly surprised so many people attended and said, "They're here to see me for my birthday?”. She was very happy and engaging on her big day.

Miranda grew up in Kunming, China, educated at a local Methodist school for girls, a Catholic high school for girls in Shanghai and studied dentistry in Japan until the war brought her back home. Friends introduced her to Te-Tseng Liu, a young professor; their courtship began and they married May 24, 1942. Late in 1949, they made the decision to immigrate to the United States with their three young children. They flew from Kunming to Hong Kong, and eventually boarded the SS President Cleveland for the United States. Miranda lived in San Francisco with their children while Te-Tseng explored job opportunities in the USA and Canada. He accepted a teaching position at the Army Language School, (now Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center of Monterey). The family lived in Ord Village, (now Seaside HS), Pacific Grove, and in 1956, moved into a house they had built in Monterey, their home for over fifty years.

Miranda found employment with Talbott Ties, then located on Cannery Row. She became one of their top seamstresses in Talbotts' many accessory endeavors. It was during this time Miranda and Te-Tseng had their fourth child, Grace. Mr. Talbott supported Miranda’s request to work from home and provided her with a commercial sewing machine. She continued to work for him for over 30 years till her retirement. Miranda’s family benefitted from her creativity as well. She could sew, repair, knit, crochet anything- clothing, sweaters, crafts, etc.

Miranda was an excellent self-taught cook. As a child in China, she observed the family cooks in the kitchen and later as an adult supervised and sampled the preparations. The many great dishes and meals she later created and served to her family throughout the years were made without recipes. Her children learned much about cooking from her.

Miranda was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Te-Tseng, oldest and youngest grandsons Matthew Schuler, Michael Evan Smith; son-in-law John Schuler. She is survived by her children Suzanna Schuler, Edward Liu (Phyllis), Yvonne Liu (Jim Krider), and Grace Liu-Smith (Mike); her grandchildren Margie Berumen (Mike), Anthony Liu (Lauren), Danielle Liu (Sondre Bjordal), Todd Gilardy, Ryan Gilardy (Jenet), Brittany Gilardy (Jared Mort), Maile Smith; her five great-grandchildren Frida Liu Bjordal, Reid Liu, Jasper Liu, Blake Gilardy, Bella Gilardy; her sister Hsiao Ming Chang; nephew Charles Chang; niece Mimi Chang and many relatives in Kunming, China.

Visitation at Bayside Community Mortuary, Seaside on Friday, January 18, 2019, 9-11am, with service and burial at noon at Monterey City Cemetery. For further information, please call Suzanna at 1-805-712-8526. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to CHOMP, Ave Maria Senior Living, or charity of your choice.