Irene Chien

If there’s a word to describe Irene Chien, it’s “devoted,” her son, Alec, says. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and school principal.

Irene Chen Chien was born in China on October 18, 1916, and helped raise her siblings as the eldest of five children. She had a very happy childhood and excelled in all her studies. Her mentoring heart led her to be a role model for her classmates. Her duty to do her very best was often rewarded by numerous prizes in high school. She set a high standard for us to follow.

She married Nai Jen Chien in 1940. For safety during World War II, the family moved to a remote Chinese village, where she gave birth to her first child. They eventually moved to Hong Kong, where she became a teacher and then principal at an international school. She spoke Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Later she left to manage her husband’s architectural office in Hong Kong. 

In 1967, Irene and Nai Jen moved to New York, where all three of her children earned advanced degrees. They later moved to Ohio, where Nai Jen passed in 2010. More recently, she lived in Meadville, Pennsylvania, near her son and his entire family. Even if she needed to be reminded of who was actually whose child, it was always a highlight in her day when her great-grandchildren came to see her. 

She was a devoted wife and a wonderful mother to her three children, in whom she instilled the importance of one’s duty in life as a person, as a professional, and as a parent. 

Irene loved to cook, sing, and play the piano. She kept her facilities until a ripe old age, and even learned how to use a computer to send emails to friends and family. Irene was a happy person, enjoying life to the fullest. Survivors include her children and their spouses: Frances and Chung Poon Tsai of Sylvania, Ohio; Jean and Anton Robert Brom of Vienna, Austria; Alec and Brenda Chien of Meadville, Pennsylvania; grandchildren and spouses Annabel Tsai; Catherine Tsai and Thomas Peipert; Brianna Chien; Mikayla and Joel Trousdale; Bethany and Mike Fields; great-grandchildren Magnolia and Jet Trousdale, Jack and Emma Fields. Her 103-year-old brother Chen Shizhi also survives. 

The family is so grateful for the staff at Wesbury throughout her 3-year stay. Everyone has been so caring and attentive to details. Wesbury is a treasure for this community.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Irene Chien to Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community in Meadville (31 Park Avenue, Meadville) or to Sylvania United Church of Christ (7240 Erie Street, Sylvania Ohio 43560) where Irene was a longtime member while living in Sylvania, Ohio.