Nien-Wei Hsiao

Obituary for Nien-Wei HsiaoJune 03, 1968 ~ March 03, 2025 Nien-Wei Hsiao, 56, of Vancouver, Washington, passed away at the Ray Hickey Hospice House in Vancouver on the morning of March 03, 2025. Nien-Wei was born on June 03, 1968, in Taipei, Taiwan. She immigrated with her parents Yuan-Tao Hsiao and Pei-Huan Hsiao, and brother I-Li Hsiao to Chicago, Illinois in the early 1980's. It was during her high school years that she first developed her passion for classical music and desire to be a teacher. She attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana for a bachelor's in music education and then stayed on to complete a master's degree in Asian studies with a focus on the plight and hardships for Asian women in history. It was during her undergraduate time that she met her future husband Michael where they bonded over the love of classical music with taking several music classes together. After completing her master's degree, she moved up to Rochester, Minnesota to join Michael where he was attending the Mayo Clinic for medical school and then later residency. During that time Nien-Wei took on the challenge of working for a battered women's shelter and as a battered women's advocate for Asian minorities. Nien-Wei and Michael were married in a hybrid traditional and Chinese style wedding in June of 1994. It was during their honeymoon that they first spent time in Vancouver, WA to experience the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She proudly became a U.S. Citizen on July 09, 1997 knowing she wanted to live in the U.S. for the rest of her life. After Michael graduated from his family medicine residency program, they both went on the adventure to work on the island of Guam. During their time on Guam they were able to make several lifelong friends and also travel to many places in Asia and the surrounding islands. She also learned how to be an excellent barista and started learning how to be a strong fundraiser and advocate for several non-profit organizations. However, it was not until 2001 when they moved to Vancouver that Nien-Wei first figured out what she wanted to do in life. After being mentored by some exceptional directors for the Mary Kay skincare world, she became a Mary Kay consultant and then director and managed to build a more unique independent business where she could both serve and advocate for women. While the care of family was always paramount, she also relished the opportunities to help several non-profit organizations in multiple ways as a donor, a fundraiser, and as an on-the-ground worker. Most close to her heart included the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, West Gorge Humane Society, Clark College, PeaceHealth Foundation, Oregon Public Broadcasting, All Classical Radio, and the Ovarian Cancer Alliance in addition to several others. Nien-Wei was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer in November of 2021. She was gifted outstanding medical and oncology care here in the community. She was also blessed with an incredible group of friends and family to support her cancer journey, and we hope left this world with only love in her heart. Nien-Wei is most fondly remembered for her spirit of giving, infectious laugh, indomitable essence, gourmet cooking skills, love of music, love of singing, love for her husband Michael and family, and great love for people, monkeys, red pandas, and of course dogs including her beloved pet Tux. She is survived by her husband of 31 years Dr. Michael C. Liu, mother Pei-Huan Hsiao, brother I-Li Hsiao, in-laws Leonard and Betsy Liu, and sister-in-law Linda Pizzato and her family, as well as several family members in Taiwan and elsewhere in the U.S. We will miss Nien-Wei but always have her in our hearts.

Nien-Wei Hsiao

June 3, 1968 - March 3, 2025