Betsy jean chin's Obituary
ObituaryBetsy Jean (Koe) Chin September 17, 1922 – December 22, 2013 David Louis Chin July 14, 1921 – December 23, 2013 HAYWARD – David L. and Betsy J. Chin, loving husband and wife for over 71 years, now together eternally. Betsy died in their home in Hayward, California on December 22, 2013 after a long illness; David, wanting nothing more than to be with her, died of a massive heart attack one day later, on December 23, 2013. David was born in Oakland, California; Betsy, in Astoria, Oregon. After a romantic courtship, they married on June 7, 1942. He served in the army during World War II while she worked in various positions at military bases so that she could follow him. After the war, they settled in Alameda, where he worked at the Naval Air Station in Alameda until his retirement, and she became a devoted wife and mother to three children. When the family grew, they moved to Hayward in 1960 until the end of their lives. During their long and loving years together, they enjoyed both labor and rest. He continued to work at the Naval Air Station but also liked to tinker with and repair odd and various things, loved to fish, and created a beautiful backyard garden. Betsy began working at JC Penney, then at Bank of America, and took up various hobbies such as gourmet cooking, flower arranging and macramé. Together they danced, and ballroom dancing became a joy to them and to their children watching them dance like young lovers. And they traveled the world together, visiting Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa and bringing back memories to share. They even visited the village where they might have been born, in China, had their ancestors not immigrated to America long before. Above all, David and Betsy loved their family—their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. David and Betsy leave three devoted children: Ronalie (Roni) Niederbrach, Joanna Leiserson, and Randall (Randy) Chin. They are also survived by eight grandchildren: Sheri, Jason, Melinda, Jennifer (from Ronalie), Kathleen, Julian, David (from Joanna), Iman (from Randy); and by six great-grandchildren: Jade, Kainoa, Malakai, Kahealani, Jasmine, and Mason. A private visitation and committal service will be held at the Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward on Saturday, January 11, 2014, with their daughter, the Rev. Joanna Leiserson, officiating. Extended family and friends are invited to the Chin home in Hayward afterwards on that day, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on January 11, 2014. That will be a time to share stories, memories, and one another’s company in memory of David and Betsy. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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