May Tan Liu, aged 89, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2023.Born in Singapore on January 28, 1934, Tan Kim May was the second of five children of Wee Tiong Huay and Yong Seok Ting. From 1946 to 1953, she attended the Kuo Chuan Girls' School in Singapore for her secondary education, overcoming numerous traditional and social obstacles to do so. She went to college at Singapore Teacher's Training College from 1953 to 1955, and taught in Singapore schools from 1955 to 1964. During this time, she supported the family and helped raise her brothers and sisters.
While on vacation in Thailand, May met David Liu, who happened to be there for work. They started corresponding by mail, and in 1964, May and David were married. David ran the Honolulu office of Dames and Moore, with help and support from May. Both their sons were born during their time in Honolulu. Through more than fifty years of marriage, they lived in Honolulu and Pearl City, Hawaii, Tokyo, Japan, and Lake Forest, Illinois, before returning to Honolulu in 2004. She was very involved in activities such as exercise, tai chi, flower arranging, harmonica, piano, and line dancing. May was passionate about furthering the education of younger people, hosting or providing assistance to numerous students over the years.
May is survived by her two sons, Edward and Frederick, two grandsons, sister Sin Kiong, and brother Seng Tung, plus extended family from Singapore. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The David C. and May T. Liu Scholarship Fund through First Chinese Church of Christ in Hawaii, 1054 S. King St. Honolulu, HI 96814.
Private service held. Celebration of Life to be scheduled at a later date. Condolences: fnlliu@yahoo.com
Arrangements Provided By:
Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
