Mei Ling (Mei Nien) Ashley
Mei Ling was born January 12, 1950 in Taipei, Taiwan to Lin Kwei-Yu and Lin Lee Chi-Mei. She was the second of five children, and the oldest daughter. She started a new life in the Unites states when she married her love, Jim Ashley in 1974. She also welcomed her daughter, Krissie that year and worked hard to acclimate to a new country and culture. It was quite a culture shock for her to move from the big city of Taipei to the small town of Mullens, West Virgina! The family then moved across the country to Eugene, Oregon, Suisun, California, and finally ending up in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Mei Ling loved her family fiercely and the best day of her life was the birth of her first grand daughter, Emma. Shortly after Emma was born, Mei Ling contracted bacterial meningitis; with only a 10% chance of survival; she beat the odds and was able to survive, although was left as a double amputee which resulted in life long health issues into the future. Despite these challenges, she was so happy that she was able to help raise her grandchildren, next welcoming her second grand daughter, Jade. They were her little buddies and she would do anything for them and it gave her the drive to continue to be stronger and to live when things got difficult. She wanted to see them every day and would do anything for them. She was so proud of them both and they were the light of her life. Mei Ling’s family and time together was her main hobby, however, we would be remiss not to mention her love and passion for playing bingo. She was quite the baller back in the day, and could play day and night, often playing over 10 cards at one time. Mei Ling truly was a fighter and overcame such challenges in her life to survive and thrive. We are grateful for her example.
She leaves behind her heartbroken family, daughter, Krissie (Chad), granddaughters-Emma, Jade and Avery; her sister, Amy (Randy); and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Our family would like to recognize and give so much love and appreciation to those that helped us so much during the last few months of Mei Ling’s life. Melissa MacArthur, who she considered a surrogate daughter; Jenna Carrington, RN at Utah Home Health and Hospice; and Tui and Lani, who helped her be as independent as possible, and provided love and support to all of us to help care for her in our home.
A celebration of Mei Ling’s life will be held on Thursday, May 12th, 6:00-8:00 pm at Chad and Krissie’s home, 6210 South Lindsay Lane (2160 E) Holladay, UT 84121. Please note that parking is limited, car pool or Uber is recommended, or it may be necessary to park on 6200 South (IFYKYK!) Her ashes will be interred earlier that day in a private family service, to be laid to rest with her love at the Veterans Cemetery.
We miss her terribly, but are so happy that she is reunited with her beloved husband.