Ellen Hsiao

Ellen Hsiao died in her New York home on May 12, 2023 at age 82. She is survived by her daughter Candace, her son Eric; and her grandson, Julius Young, as well as her siblings; her brother Nathan Chao of New York City, and her sisters Christine Ma of Los Angeles, California, and Rose Chao Battershall of Rhinecliff New York. She is predeceased by Iwen Hsiao, her husband of 60 years. Born in China to parents Lien-Foo Chao and Ming-shu Ho, Ellen arrived in the United States with her brother Nathan at 10 years old, growing up mostly in the Bronx. She maintained a close connection to Chinese culture her entire life.

An interest in art at an early age led Ellen to attend The Cooper Union college and graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1963. She juggled a career in graphic design and raising a family before devoting herself to co-founding and managing an artists’ cooperative AAWAA (Asian American Women Artists Alliance). She pursued her passion for the visual arts throughout her life by taking classes and summer programs, and participating in art exhibits.

Ellen will be remembered to all who came to know her as a strong, compassionate person, forever deeply concerned with the welfare of her family and friends and being proactive in assisting them. At age 69 she devoted herself fully to becoming a grandmother.

She had many interests including poetry, technology, science, calligraphy, metaphysics, cooking, and real estate. The Hsiao family asks that all who knew her to kindly hold her in your hearts, prayers, and memory

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.frederick-fh.com for the Hsiao family.