Meng Chin

Meng was born in Kuala Lumpur on July 28, 1942, the youngest of eight children.   Her early childhood was heavily affected by World War II, with her father dying in the war, leaving her mother to raise the children on her own.  She and her siblings learned at a young age to contribute to the household, sewing buttons on clothing and making paper bags for a penny a piece with glue and a sheet of paper.  These pennies were used to feed and clothe the kids during the war as the whole family had to band together to survive.  As an English colony, Malaysians would attend a UK based schooling system which prepared her for going abroad once she completed high school.

Meng came to the United States in 1964, accepting a job to represent Malaysia at the World’s Fair in Queens, NY.  She originally planned to be here for 6 months while the World’s Fair was running and then return home. During that time, by chance, someone encouraged her to apply for a job at the United Nations.  Instead of returning home, she took a leap of courage and accepted a job in the informatics division of the UN.

In 1966, Meng was “introduced” to her future husband, Wai Poy Chin, a “professional bachelor”, on a day when his mother dragged him into a store that his family owned in an arranged meeting.  One year later they were married and went on a 3-month honeymoon around the world including stops in Asia to introduce Wai Poy to her family and a tour of the capitals of Europe.

Shortly after starting their family, Wai and Meng pursued the American Dream and moved to Croton-on-Hudson and built their dream house, raising their 4 children, West, Cynthia, Sandy and Kevin there.

Over the next four decades, Meng continued to work at the United Nations making life-long friends, retiring at the turn of this century.  At this time she welcomed her first grandchild, Sebastian Chin.  During the rest of her life, her grandchildren were the joy of her life, also including Michelle, Ophelia, Taggart, Nolan, Rhys and London.

In 2010, when Wai passed, she transitioned to a new period of her life, moving into Manhattan to be closer to her grandchildren and children.  While living in NYC,  she took time to relearn Mandarin, and to develop her artistic skill with crafts such as art, knitting and cooking, which we all enjoyed daily.  She was famous for her smile as well for the smile that her curry puffs brought to the faces of her friends and family.

For those who knew her, all would agree that Meng was always focused on others more than herself. The hardship she grew up with made an imprint on her character that led to a kind, generous woman who cared about everyone else’s well-being and comfort throughout the rest of her life. She and Wai always opened their arms, hearts, and homes to all that needed it, frequently inviting our friends to meals, particularly if they knew that they were by themselves.

For those who would like to join us in a meal to celebrate Meng’s life, we will be gathering at Central Seafood Restaurant in Hartsdale, immediately after the Funeral.  We have reserved lots of space and tables so we can maintain safe distance and stay in our family pods while enjoying a celebratory meal.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of the following charities that would be in line with who Meng was as a human being.

No Kid Hungry

https://secure.nokidhungry.org/site/Donation2?df_id=18770&mfc_pref=T&18770.donation=form1&s_src=googlemain&s_subsrc=210HAGN1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=2020_brand&utm_content=paid

or UNICEF.

https://www.unicefusa.org/mission/starts-with-u/health-for-children?utm_content=health2v2_E2001&ms=cpc_dig_2020_PillarPages_20200109_google_health2v2_delve_E2001&initialms=cpc_dig_2020_PillarPages_20200109_google_health2v2_delve_E2001&gclid=CjwKCAiAm-2BBhANEiwAe7eyFBGRcNiB2L3zbUyF6OZcgwOqN2bwuPLjIHxHQRUoNw-th7IPYTaXwBoCwqsQAvD_BwE

Reposing, Hawthorne Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 from 3:00 PM-7:00 PM.

Where Funeral Services will take place on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 10:00 AM.

Interment to follow at Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, N.Y.

HAWTHORNE FUNERAL HOME

21 West Stevens Ave.

Hawthorne, New York 10532

914-769-4404