Blanche Chin Ah Tye

1919 - 2018

Blanche Chin Ah Tye passed away peacefully with family on January 18, 2018 after having lived a very full 98 years of life. She was the first Chinese girl born on Soledad Street in Chinatown of Salinas, CA in 1919. She was the 4th of 10 children. Three generations of Blanche's family lived in a small wooden house in Chinatown. In this atmosphere of unbounded love, hard work and respect for others, Blanche developed a deep understanding of Chinese culture and tradition. In 1940 Blanche met and married Edward Ah Tye in Salinas. A few years later, their first child was born, Judy. Blanche raised their daughter while Ed served in WWII as a B-17 top turret gunner with the 91st Bomb Group. After the war, the family settled in Stockton, CA where they co-owned and operated the Ah Tye Brothers Service station. Three more children were added to the family, Lani, Doreen and Gordon, and Blanche became involved in St. Mark's Church.

Food was Blanche's being; her Sunday dinners were a regular event that brought together family and friends. She is known for her fried chicken, jai, jook, chocolate pies and chocolate chip cookies. For decades Blanche headed the St. Mark's Church Hospitality team serving refreshments and lunches. Along with Evelyn C. Wong, Blanche helped create and distribute the St. Mark's Chinese cookbook, which is nationally renowned. With the help of a very loyal and hardworking crew, Blanche coordinated the St. Mark's food booth for both Chinese New Year Festivals and Micke Grove May Festivals for over 20 years. In 1982 the Stockton Cathay Club presented Blanche with a special award for her accomplishments, years of leadership and dedicated service to the St. Mark's United Methodist Church as a member of the Administrative Board, President of Women's Society of Christian Service (WSCS), Sunday school teacher and volunteer tutor for immigrant children and women. At age 95 she authored Full of Gold, a book which preserves the culture and traditions of her Cantonese roots. In 2015, Blanche was named Citizen of the Year by the Chinese Cultural Society of Stockton. Her husband, Ed received the same award in 1994, making them the first couple to earn this honor.

Blanche is survived by her children Judy Hong (Ray), Lani Farkas (Greg), Doreen Ah Tye and Gordon (Marian) Ah Tye; grandchildren Erin and Holly Hong, Ryan (Emily) Ah Tye, Whitney Leis (Nathan) and great-grandchildren Harper and Eli Ah Tye. Her remaining siblings are Parker Chin of Salinas, Martha Jone of Fremont and Nancy Mar of Palo Alto.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 17 at 1 p.m. Donations may be made to Jene Wah Senior Service Center, 238 East Church, Stockton, 95203, St. Mark's UMC, 306 East Clay, Stockton, 95206 or a charity of your choice.