Cecilia H. Chin

CHIN

CECILIA H. CHIN (Age 84)

Of Washington, DC, died on October 22, 2022 after a full and accomplished life. Cecilia was born in Tianjin, China and spent her youth in Taipei, Taiwan. She was the eldest and therefore first of her academically-inclined siblings to undertake most challenges, including moving to America. She earned a Master of Library Science degree at the University of Illinois in Champaign, and proceeded to build an impressive career around her passion for art, history and books. In Chicago, Cecilia worked for the Art Institute of Chicago's Ryerson Library, eventually acting as its Library Director. In 1982, she moved to Washington, DC. and became Chief Librarian at the largest of the Smithsonian's art libraries, the National Museum of American Art and Portrait Gallery Library. She maintained the library as a vital centre of study, guiding researchers and managing its holdings and acquisitions until her retirement. Through retirement she provided continual support to the Smithsonian as an expert docent for the National Museum of Asian Art, Freer and Sackler Galleries, and as a regular sponsor. Her warm Capitol Hill townhouse reflected her eclectic interests and travels, including art from all corners of the globe and a quantity of books, music and periodicals that intimidated most of her family, except perhaps her beloved cats Isabelle and Coco. She loved opera, classical music and Kabuki theatre. Cecilia was loyal in all of her roles, as friend, sister, caregiving daughter, and professional, and always had an easy-going ability to laugh off any episodes of drama close to her orbit. She is predeceased by her brother Roy, and survived by sisters Theresa, Maria and Margaret, and six nieces and nephews. After experiencing progressive dementia, she died peacefully at Balfour Senior Living, in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she spent her last few seasons. Donations in her memory may be made to Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art. Private memorial to come at a later date.