Christina Chen (AKA Chen Dou Wei; Christina Mahin) (Aug.18,1941 – Sept. 21, 2025)

Christina Chen passed away on September 21, 2025. She is survived by 3 children (Michael, Mark, and Michelle) and 5 grandchildren (O’Sinn, Ronan, Ella, Ava, Dylan, and Eden).

Born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, Christina (who initially used “Mercy” as her English name) grew up in a family of 4, with one brother and two sisters. Her father, a businessman with ties to the Philippines, passed away when she was still young. Christina’s beloved older sister,  Chen Dou Mei, who she kept in touch with throughout her life, served as Zhonghe Xingdao Christian Church’s pastor for over 50 years.

Always an exceptional student, Christina graduated from Taiwan’s Christ’s College in 1966 with a BA in Languages.

Shortly after, she embarked on the adventure of a lifetime, emigrating to the United States under the sponsorship of Charlie Zumar of Zumar Industries. “Uncle Charlie,” as we would later call him, was a successful businessman and a lifelong friend and father figure to Christina. After landing in Los Angeles, she quickly joined Wilshire Christian Church where she found lodging with Olive Sprong.

“Grandma Sprong,” was a former librarian and treated Christina “like the daughter she never had.” Christina was forever grateful to Grandma Sprong who had no children of her own and who she cared for in her old age.

Around 1970, Christina left LA to pursue her Master’s Degree in Religious Education at Texas Christian University’s Brite Divinity School. Despite English being her second language, Christina earned excellent grades and numerous academic awards. While at TCU, she nannied for a family with a boy and girl named Mark and Michelle. This family would become lifelong friends and the inspiration for her own childrens’s names.

After finishing her MA in 1972, Christina returned to Los Angeles where she married Dr. James R Mahin. Together, they earned a record number of church growth awards at Palisades United Methodist Church in Capistrano Beach, Orange County. Today, a building named “Mahin Hall” commemorates their impact. They later found similar success at Foothills United Methodist Church in La Mesa, San Diego.

In both churches, Christina played a critical role supporting her husband’s ministry in a variety of ways as a driver (Jim was legally blind), hostess to the church’s hundreds of members, and devoted mother to Michael, Mark, and Michelle.

In addition to her church responsibilities, Christina took a part time job during these years at Asian Pacific Fine Furniture. As a manager, she excelled at re-designing the large store to better showcase its many beautiful pieces. Her children suspect her real motive was to build her own collection of Chinese rosewood furniture (with an employee discount 😊). In many ways, this furniture became a symbol of her “American Dream,” and she loved her beautiful collection until her dying days.

After a difficult divorce, Christina applied her keen intellect to the stock market and would work as a successful day trader for the rest of her life. She enjoyed being her own boss and took great pride in her independence.

Christina’s love language was “small gifts,” usually of money, which she gave often to friends and family. Her papers include many kind messages from people thanking her for some small “treat” or “surprise” she had left them. Despite enjoying her solitude, Christina did her best to brighten the lives of those she encountered.

In her later years, Christina loved becoming a grandma to O'Sinn, Ronan, Ella, Ava, Dylan, and Eden. Her office walls, where she worked everyday, were covered with pictures of their many adventures. 

She also enjoyed reconnecting with her childhood friends from Taiwan and TCU. Always a private person, Christina’s children still wish they knew more about this formative time in her life. They would especially love to read reflections and stories from anyone who knew her during this time.

In one of many “reconnection” letters, Christina summed up her life in a few poignant sentences:

“I remember that I arrived in America almost five decades ago with two medium suitcases to start my American Dream. Today, I have two sons, a daughter, six grandchildren and a truckload of beautiful home furnishings. Above all, I am in good health. I didn’t come in search of gold, but a simple and meaningful life. I don’t have all that I want, but I have all that I need to live a contented life with God’s blessings. Here is my motto:

‘Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And leave the rest to God.’ ”

We will miss you mom.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites “small gifts” and donations in support of Christina’s final journey.

The family will hold a small, private, family memorial and scatter her ashes in her honor.

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