Yanzhi Zhang, 63
Dateline: Suwanee, Georgia
Yanzhi Zhang, age 63, of Suwanee, Georgia and formerly of Sharon, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully, in the presence of her loving family, on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at South Cove Manor at Quincy Point. She had bravely fought glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, for the past ten months.
Born in Shenxian, Province of Shandong, China on October 23, 1958, she was a loving daughter of Yuee Li of China and the late Shucai Zhang. Yanzhi was the beloved wife of Xuzeng David Zhang, to whom she was wed for thirty-eight years. She is survived by her loving and devoted daughter Donna Zhang and her husband Daniel Seto of Mansfield. She was the treasured grandmother of Mason Seto of Mansfield. She was the dear sister of Yanqing Zhang and her husband Liusheng Liu of China and Wenzhe Zhang and his wife Fengqing Zhang of China. She is also survived by her loving sister-in-law Hong Zhang and her husband Wei Lu.
Yanzhi grew up and was educated in China and received her bachelor’s degree from Shandong University. After finishing her undergraduate degree, Yanzhi stayed on as a professor and taught there for many years. Later she received a scholarship to study in the United States and immigrated to the United States in 1987, first settling in Syracuse, New York. She furthered her education, eventually earning a PhD in Organic Chemistry at Syracuse University.
Yanzhi had made her home in Georgia for the past year and formerly resided in Sharon, Massachusetts for many years. She had worked as a Patent Examiner for the U.S. Patent & Trade Office in Alexandria, Virginia for ten years where she was a dedicated employee and received the outstanding designation for her work for the past six years and she was recognized with the highest award for her work achievements with the Bronze Medal Award of the USPTO. Yanzhi also worked previously for many years in the pharmaceutical industry as a medicinal chemist
She was an active member of the Chinese Church of Metro-South Boston in Sharon, where she served as a former Sunday School Teacher and she was also a member of the First Baptist Church in Sharon, where she served as a former Deacon. Yanzhi was a devout Christian and went on multiple mission trips including to Tibet and fundraised to support orphanages and relief funds. She also participated in the church choir, gracing the congregation with her beautiful voice and talent for singing.
Yanzhi’s family was truly the focal point and essence of her life. She welcomed everyone, especially friends and family, into her home and all of them will remember her for her warm heart and delicious cooking. Yanzhi was very active and loved doing Tai Chi and hiking. She had the dream of visiting all the national parks in the United States and last summer on a multiple day trip, she was able to visit Yosemite, the last major national park on her list. She also loved her daily walks with "Charlie", her beloved best four-legged friend. Yanzhi loved sight-seeing with her family and friends. In addition to visiting her relatives in China, she traveled all across North America and to many locations abroad.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a memorial service in celebration of her life on Saturday, August 13th at 2:00 P.M. at the Chinese Church of Metro-South Boston, 383 Old Post Road, Sharon. Burial will be held privately at the Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton.
In lieu of flowers, Yanzhi’s family has requested that donation in her memory be made to the Chinese Church of Metro-South Boston, 383 Old Post Road, Sharon, MA 02067, The First Baptist Church, 2 South Main Street, Sharon, MA 02067 or the South Cove Manor at Quincy Point, 288 Washington Street, Quincy, MA 02169
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield.
To send her family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com