Ping Pei Yen, 93, formerly of Vestal, passed away November 15, 2013, at Rush Oak Park Hospital. A longtime resident of Vestal, Ping had moved to Oak Park, Illinois to be near her son, David, after the death of her husband of 63 years Chih-Min (Jim) Yen in 2010. Ping was born in Taiyuan. Shanxi Province, China. She was one of 11 children of Pei Qingyuan and Zhao Shushen, and the oldest daughter. She graduated from Fu Jen University when it was still located in Beijing, class of 1943. She married Chih-Min Yen in China in 1946. They came to the United States in 1949 and lived in Schenectady while Chih-Min attended Union College. Then they lived in Buffalo and Rochester before moving to Vestal in 1963. She received a Master’s degree from the University of Rochester in 1962, which was the same year that they both became U.S. citizens. Ping taught mathematics at Vestal High School for many years until her retirement. She sponsored two sisters and several nieces and nephews to immigrate to the U.S. Ping and Jim helped found the Triple Cities Chinese School. She had many talents including painting and calligraphy. She was active in the Chinese Arts Association, the local chapter of the American Red Cross and other civic associations. She was a beloved auntie to her nieces and nephews and to her friends’ children. In addition to her son, she is survived by four brothers (Pei Jing, Pei Jiangong, Pei Wen, and Pei You), two sisters (Pei Zhang and Pei Zhen) and many nieces and nephews and their children.
Services will be held at noon at Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott Saturday, November 23rd. The family will receive friends from 10 to noon at the allen Memorial Home. Entombment will be at the Vestal Hills Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Civic Association, 131 Front Street, Binghamton NY 13905.