Ava Tam

Ava Tam, age 92, died July 20, 2016 at The Presidential Center in Marion, Ohio. Ava was born October 8, 1923 in Nanhai, China to Yuan Jia Ho and Le Xin Feng. She was also preceded in death by her husband Zhao Xiong Tam. Ava was an amazing matriarch and loved playing the supportive role to everyone in her family. In her early days she lived through the Japanese invasion of China. After moving to the United States she worked hard to make a living and even harder to become an American Citizen. One by one, she brought her children into the United States to provide them with a better opportunity in life. In her free time, Ava enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She loved to tell them stories and share memories of her childhood, learn to write words in English from them while teaching them to write Chinese characters. She also liked cooking and teaching the grandchildren to cook, playing mahjong and card games with her family, watching Chinese TV shows and listening to Chinese opera. Ava was always teaching her children and grandchildren life lessons and the importance of being respectful to others. She is well respected by the people she knew and will be missed. Her family includes eight children, twenty-one grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren, listed below in family groups: Jennifer Lee * Vanessa & Graham Poole *Alexander Poole * Anthony Poole * Stephen Lee Dennis & Victoria Chui *Richard Chui & Carrie Chui *Darren Chui *Alex Chui *Amanda Chui *Benjamin Chui & Jessie Chui *Abbie Chui *Chris Chui & Patty Liu Tony & Tina Lee *Elizabeth & Ben Lim * Elaina Lim *Gavin Lim *Laura & William Tay * Ava Tay *Matthew Lee Jin & Bin Tam *Fenrong (Robert) & Huanfen Tam *Anthony Z. Tam *Lillian M. Tam *Luna M. Tam *Cathy & Michael LaRosa *Elizabeth LaRosa *Zachary LaRosa *Jenny Tam *Jacob Tam *Natalie Moore *John Tam Adam & Tammy Tam *David & Jacqueline Tam *Jackie Tam Allen & Betty Tam *Michael & Ting Ting Tam *Mitchell Tam Andrew & Florence Tam *Elaine Tam *Crystal Tam *Andrea Tam Joseph & Grace Lee *Melissa Lee *Thomas Lee Family and friends are invited to visit from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Road), Toledo, OH 43623. Burial will follow at Historic Woodlawn Cemetery, Toledo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Chinese Association of Greater Toledo.