Ying Zhang

Ying Zhang, age 46, of Dover, died Monday Dec. 29, 2008, as the result of a tragic accident while on vacation with her family in Cancun, Mexico.

Born, Nov. 29, 1962, in Shanghai, China, she was a daughter of Si Yi Chen (her mother) of Hangzhou, China, and the late De Chen Zhang (her father). Ying earned her Doctoral Degree in Medicine from Zhe Jiang University Medical School, and also held two Masters Degrees, one in Chinese Traditional Medicine from Shanghai University, and the other in Molecular Biology from Laval University in Quebec City, Canada. She was currently a Research Fellow at the OARDC of The Ohio State University in Wooster. She was highly thought of by her colleagues for her organizational skills, her excellent recall, but probably most of all, for her happy, positive outlook and sweet smile.

Ying married Dean Li on Jul. 16, 1987. She was a loving, devoted wife and mother. Of all of her accomplishments, her love of family was most important to her. Ying was very serious about what was real and meaningful, which was caring for others. She felt that life was short, and that one needed to give their love freely. Those who met Ying were touched by her soft, caring ways. She made all who knew her, feel at ease with her loving tender voice and smile. She was always happy to see her friends, and greeted each with a hug.

She and Dean enjoyed travelling all over the world together, but she always found a special joy at home cooking for family and friends and entertaining. Ying was also a voracious reader, enjoyed light music, such as Celine Dion and Kenny G., and was especially fond of holidays at the beach and sailing with her family at Atwood Lake. She attended Newpointe Community Church in Dover, where she was inspired by the teachings, and the relationships she developed.

In addition to her mother, Ying is missed terribly by her husband Dean, and her four-year-old daughter, Jessica Zhang Li. She also leaves to mourn her loss a sister, Ting Zhang (Michael) Wang of San Diego; a brother, Ping (Yan Dong) Zhang of China; niece and nephews, Emily and Eric Wang and Zhehao Zhang; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Wan Chun Li and Shu Yun Liu of Xining, China; and many good friends.

A celebration of Ying's life will be held Saturday, Jan. 10, at 11 a.m., in Newpointe Community Church, with Pastor Dwight Mason officiating. Immediately afterwards, there will be a luncheon in the church. Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Friday, Jan. 9, 4 �" 8 p.m. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Ying, please visit the funeral home's Web site, www.tolandherzig.com, and click on Obituaries.

The family suggests that contributions honoring Ying be made to Bring Me Hope, 2169 Green Canyon Rd., Fallbrook, CA 92028, www.bringmehope.org .

Toland-Herzig, Dover
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com