Jeanette Chao
Jeanette Chao
Jeanette C. Chao is the second daughter born to Dr James S. C. Chao & Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao. She passed away on March 20, 2008, less than a year after the departure of her beloved mother, Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao.
Jeanette C. Chao came to the United States with her mother and two sisters when she was five years old not speaking any English. Her father had gone to America 3 years earlier, when she was two and a half years old. Her mother was then seven months’ pregnant with her younger sister, May. It took her father almost three years before he was able to bring them to America. The only passage he could afford for his young family was onboard a cargo ship. The ocean journey took 37 days.
Initially growing up in New York City, Jeanette attended Public School #117, Southwoods Junior High School and graduated from Syosset High School in Syosset, Long Island, New York where she was a member of the National Honor Society and the Yearbook Committee.
Jeanette graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Smith College, one of the famous “Seven Sisters” women’s colleges, where she achieved academic distinction in her first year. Thereafter, she went on to earn an MBA from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. She worked for an international transportation company in New York City before becoming a social worker.
Faith was the focus of her life. A deeply devout Christian, she was actively involved in her church and the community. She is much loved by her family who holds her in their hearts.