Margaret Chi

Margaret Che-Hsi Chi, 97, passed away peacefully in the Lenawee Medical Care Facility (LMCF) on August 20, 2023. Born in Beijing, China, Margaret received her secondary education at the St. Joseph’s middle school in Qingdao. Upon graduation, she spent a year at the bedside of her younger brother Danial who was ill in a hospital. She then, together with her sister Jane, attended the Aurora University in Shanghai where both received a B.A. degree in history of English literatures. She began her teaching career in high schools in the city of Wuxi and later Qingdao. She came to the U.S. and lived in Adrian since 1979. St. Joseph’s Middle School was an institute by the Catholic Franciscan Order, where Margaret became a catholic. Her academic excellence and her active involvement in the religious activities earned her a full scholarship at Siena Heights College of Adrian in 1949. However due to the civil war in China at the time, she was not able to obtain the passport to travel abroad. Throughout her teaching career upon graduation from Aurora University, she was a much beloved and respected teacher. However because of her religious belief, she was persecuted in every political movements in the 50’s and 60’s, especially during the 10 years culture revolution from 1966 to 1976. Instead of teaching she was made to work as a janitor and other hard labors as a form of punishment. She was physically beaten, mentally abused, and publicly ashamed. She endured it all. In 1978 with the help from her older brother Frank, she sent a letter to Siena Heights College and asked if she could still come to study with the scholarship that was offered to her 30 years ago. The then siting college president Dr. Louis Vaccaro and the dean of graduate studies Sr. Marian Stimson responded to her inquiry enthusiastically by not only reinstating her scholarship but granting Jane, her sister, a full scholarship as well. In the following year Margaret and Jane arrived at Siena Heights College to pursue their graduate studies in Education. They both received their masters degrees with honors in 1982. She was 57. Detroit Press followed the event and reported her story “a 30-year diploma - Margaret and Jane Chi at Siena Heights,” “a dream coming true.” (Detroit Press, May 12, 1982) Both Margaret and Jane became naturalized U.S. citizens at the turns of the century. In 2003, with their savings they purchased a home in Adrian. The Adrian Daily Telegram interviewed the sisters and celebrated with an article “After a three-decade wait, the Chi sisters love living in America.” (Adrian Daily Telegram, March 30, 2003) Margaret worked numerous jobs, most notably she was invited to participate in meetings when Siena Heights hosted Aurora University of Shanghai to help establish an exchange program between the two institutions. (Adrian Daily Telegram, November 12, 2002) In her retirement, she was an active member of the Adrian Senior Center. There she and Jane, known as the Ping-and-Pong during their student years at SHC, enjoyed ping-pong, shuffleboard, and other fun filled activities. They made many friends. She survived Jane who passed away in 2013. She lived alone in her beloved home, and received great cares from her friends, and help from Friends Who Care and Adrian Department on Aging. Early in May after an unexpected fall at night she was admitted to LMCF where she was cared until her time. Margaret never married. She is survived by her 2 nephews Jacob and Maurice Chi, niece Gao-Xian Chi; 5 grand nephews and nieces; and 2 great grand nieces. In celebrating her history filling life, a Funeral Mass for Margaret will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, Aug. 24 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Adrian, with Father Michael Newman, OSFS. Preceding the mass, there will be a Vigil gathering in the church starting at 9:30 am. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Siena Heights University. Condolences are welcome at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Margaret Chi

November 29, 1928 - August 20, 2023