Obituary of Ya Shue Lin

A Joyful Life – Ya Shue (Joy) Lin, 林蔡雅雪

Ya Shue (Joy) Lin was born in Tainan, Taiwan in 1933. She pursued her passion for music,earning a degree from National Taiwan Normal University in 1957, and went on to obtain her master’s degree at Musashino Academia Musicae in Japan in 1958. That same year, she married Professor Chen Chong Lin at Tang-Mng Presbyterian Church in Chia-Yi, Taiwan.

For 24 years (1958–1982), Joy Lin dedicated her life to teaching as a piano and voice professor at National Taiwan Normal University. Her home was often filled with the sound of music, as she shared her love of teaching with both her students and her own children. In 1967–1968, she and her husband traveled the world while he served as a research fellow at the University of Munich, a time they both cherished.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Joy Lin was a faithful servant of God, deeply devoted to her family and church community. She served in Chung-Lun Church in Taipei from 1965 to 1981, where she held roles as a kindergarten principal, choir director, and deacon. After relocating to New Jersey in 1982, she continued her ministry as a pianist and choir director at the Taiwanese Reformed Church in New Jersey (now Fair Lawn Community Church), a role she faithfully carried out until the age of 86. While staying with her younger son’s family in SoCal, she also served as a pianist and led the choir for Taiwanese-American Presbyterian Church of Ventura County for many years. When mobility challenges required her to transition to CareOne assisted living in 2019, she continued to play piano for the residents until Parkinson’s symptoms limited her playing abilities.

Even in her later years, Joy Lin remained active in her faith. For the past six years, she regularly attended online Sunday services and Bible studies with the Chinese Christian Church of New Jersey and Fair Lawn Community Church. She found joy in singing, praying, and studying Scripture, cherishing the fellowship of her church family. She was surrounded by the love and care of friends, fellow believers, and compassionate caregivers.

In December 2024, Joy Lin had the blessing of celebrating her 92nd birthday with her sons Tom and Victor, their families, her younger brother John Tsai, and her niece Mary’s family. It was a joyful occasion, reflecting the love and strong family bonds she nurtured throughout her life.

After a lifetime of faith, service, and love, Joy Lin passed into the presence of the Lord, where she is now reunited with her beloved husband and daughter. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, kindness, humility, and devotion, having used her musical gifts to glorify God and bring joy to others.

Her life embodies the words of Psalm 95:1-3:
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before Him with thanksgiving
and extol Him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.

Joy Lin was preceded in death by her daughter, Mei-In Lin Chen in 2014 and her husband, Chen Chong Lin in 2018. Survivors include two sons, Thomas Lin and his wife Jan, and Victor Lin and his wife Lisa; six grandchildren, Elaine Lin, Peter Lin and his wife Ella Mu, Krista Chen, Aaron Lin, Rachel Lin, and Andrew Lin; two brothers, Chhin-Yang Tsai and John Tsai; and four sisters, Hues Shine Tsai Ho, Ya-Mei Tsai Tai, Ya Chu Tsai Hang, and Ya- Hsiang (Judy) Rei.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family respectfully requests memorial donations to The Parkinson’s Foundation or Doctors without Borders.