Alice Chye Chin

A naturalized citizen of the United States, Alice was born in 1938, a daughter of the esteemed Indonesian Chinese family of Wee. Beautiful, independent, and intelligent, Alice was a woman ahead of her time. Upon earning her A level certificate from Saint Hilda's Secondary School in the Republic of Singapore, Alice became the first and only female executive secretary at the conglomerate Fraser and Neave. There she worked for over a decade, until meeting the love of her life, her husband, Dr. Kee Kean Chin (affectionately known as "K.K.").

A known fashionista in her prime, for many years Alice channeled her passion for simple elegance and creativity by hosting annual fashion shows through her small fashion boutique. A humble woman, lesser known was her proclivity for charitable causes, both large and small. Her mother-in-law once described Alice as "a good woman with a pure heart", and much of the proceeds Alice earned from such fashion shows were donated to charity. Beyond mere donations, Alice also tirelessly worked with orphans, not only by personally teaching children through established organizations, she was also notably kind and generous in aiding the children of her domestic housekeeper and staff. Her own love of reading and literature was evidenced by her emphasis on literacy, both in her own children and others.

Alice took pride in having successfully raised two children with K.K., instilling in their son, Shin, and daughter, Lynn, Alice's strong belief in the successful pursuit of higher education, commitment to societal service and God, and providing them with a moral compass to ensure they navigated life with her very strong principles of right and wrong.

Above all, Alice was most proud of her role as dedicated wife. Despite being partial to home and hearth, she traveled the world with her husband K.K., driving across all fifty of the United States of America, climbing the Great Wall of China in their 50s, visiting the great barrier reefs of Australia in their 60s, being one of the few couples who could say they had traversed many continents together from Western Europe to the hidden depths of Asia. A devoted wife, she stood by her soulmate K.K. through thick and thin until devastated by his passing in 2003.

In her final years, Alice found peace and happiness among her family at Iliff Nursing in Falls Church, Virginia. Her wry sense of humor and keen observation of human nature which carried her through life kept the nurses laughing. Her beloved nurse there surmised, "Somehow her spirit touched all the staff here, beyond her own ward, even into the pediatric ward. There was never so much ado from everyone when she passed. People were running down the halls to her. And she passed peacefully, as good people do."

Alice leaves behind her son Shin Chin of Falls Church, VA, with whom she was mutually devoted; her daughter Lynn Chin (Ryan) of New York City, who will unbearably miss her mother's wisdom, love and companionship; son-in-law William Edward Ryan III of New York City, with whom she shared mutual approval and respect; Alice's brother Wee Ho Kiat and his wife Ai Hwa, their sons Jeremy and Leonard whom she loved as her own; and many Chin nieces and nephews all of whom she held dear. Service and burial will begin at 3 pm at National Memorial Park in Falls Church, VA on Wednesday, January 9, 2013. Donations may be made on Alice's behalf to Iliff Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 8000 Iliff Drive, Dunn Loring, VA, c/o Nicole Galando.