Anna Chao-Ying "Ting" Tsao

Waterford - Anna Chao-Ying "Ting" Tsao passed away peacefully at age 86 with her family at her side Jan. 6, 2025, in Boston, Mass. Anna was born into a distinguished family in Rizhao, Shandong Province, China, and raised in Taiwan.

In young adulthood, her talents in linguistics were evident through winning speech competitions. At National Cheng Kung University, she studied Foreign Languages and Literature and met her future husband. After graduation, Anna accepted a scholarship to study childhood education at Louvain University, Belgium, where she became fluent in French. In 1965, she immigrated to the U.S., married, and lived in Oxford, U.K., before settling in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Waterford, since 1983. Anna published articles in the leading newspaper of Taiwan and worked as a part-time translator, but family was her priority.

Known for her compassion and generosity, Anna spent hours with friends and family during times of need and volunteered weekly at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London. There, she both flexed her muscles, pushing wheelchair-bound patients, and provided solace to patients and families.

Anna enjoyed travel, classical and Chinese music, and spending time with her children and grandchildren, of whom she was immensely proud and who brought her infinite joy. She embodied the meanings of "grace," "empathy," and "humility."

Anna is survived by her husband Mike; children, Jack (Joan Han) and Connie; grandchildren: Aidan and Kyle (Railton) and Emmanuel and Veronica Tsao; and nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church, 10 Huntington Street, New London. In lieu of flowers, donations are accepted by St. Mary's.