Memories of Pi-Ian Chen

In memory of

Pi-Ian Chen

Lake Forest, CA

February 2, 1946 - March 21, 2026

Feb 2, 1946 - Mar 21, 2026

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Doreen and Ken Fineman

Ken and I send our sincere condolences. She will be missed by many, and especially, in the dance community. Sending prayers to her family.

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Boris Chen

Andy Hsu

2022, Lake Forest, CA, USA

Family gathering

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Brian McGinley

Boris Chen

Comments:

Andy Hsu

I'll always remember my first stay at Aunt Pi-Ian's Irvine House as a little kid. My first time ever experiencing... Read more I'll always remember my first stay at Aunt Pi-Ian's Irvine House as a little kid. My first time ever experiencing a big house.... Read more I'll always remember my first stay at Aunt Pi-Ian's... Read more

Eric Chien

2021, USA Dance

Brian McGinley

Boris Chen

Please consider a donation to help family with funeral expenses.

$1,700.00

of $3,000 goal

56 %

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Eric Chien

2021, Santa Ana Elks Lodge

Brian McGinley

Boris Chen

Lianna Zhao

Eric Chien

2021, Pi-Ian's House

Brian McGinley

Boris Chen

Lianna Zhao

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Michelle Switzer

Shared a heart

Sophia Wong

Shared a heart

Brian McGinley

Canada

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Boris Chen

Anna Cheng

Comments:

Brian McGinley

It’s never easy to put into words what someone meant to us, especially someone who brought so much life and energy into the world just by being herself.      
She had a few things she truly loved: DJing, dancing, going to the movies, and traveling. And those weren’t just hobbies. They were windows into who she was.
When she DJed, she wasn’t just playing music. She was creating a mood, a feeling, a moment. She had this gift for knowing exactly what song people needed to hear, sometimes before we even knew it ourselves. She understood that music connects people, and she loved being the one to make that connection happen.
When she danced, it was pure joy. No hesitation, no self-consciousness — just movement, freedom, and happiness. Watching her dance was a reminder that life isn’t meant to be watched from the sidelines. It’s meant to be felt, fully and without apology.
And those weekly movie nights… that was her ritual. She loved stories, characters, and the shared experience of sitting in a dark theater and escaping into another world for a couple of hours. But what she really loved was the togetherness — having someone to talk about the movie with after, to laugh about it, to debate it, to relive it.
She also loved to travel. She had a curiosity about the world and a desire to experience new places, new people, and new cultures. Traveling wasn’t just about going somewhere else for her — it was about collecting experiences and stories, and bringing a little bit of those places back with her to share.
In all of these things — the music, the dancing, the movies, and her travels — there’s a common thread: she brought people together. She created moments. She made memories. She made ordinary days feel a little more alive.
That’s how I’ll remember her.
Whenever I hear a great song, see someone dancing like nobody’s watching, sit down in a movie theater with friends, or think about exploring somewhere new, I’ll think of her. And I’ll be grateful that I got to share in those moments.
She lived with rhythm. She lived with joy. And she left us with memories that will keep playing long after today.
She will be deeply missed.

It’s never easy to put into words what someone meant to us, especially someone who brought so much life and... Read more energy into the world just by being herself.
She had a few things she truly loved: DJing, dancing, going to the movies, and traveling. And those weren’t just hobbies. They were windows into who she was.
When she DJed, she wasn’t just playing music. She was creating a mood, a feeling, a moment. She had this gift for knowing exactly what song people needed to hear, sometimes before we even knew it ourselves. She understood that music connects people, and she loved being the one to make that connection happen.
When she danced, it was pure joy. No hesitation, no self-consciousness — just movement, freedom, and happiness. Watching her dance was a reminder that life isn’t meant to be watched from the sidelines. It’s meant to be felt, fully and without apology.
And those weekly movie nights… that was her ritual. She loved stories, characters, and the shared experience of sitting in a dark theater and escaping into another world for a couple of hours. But what she really loved was the togetherness — having someone to talk about the movie with after, to laugh about it, to debate it, to relive it.
She also loved to travel. She had a curiosity about the world and a desire to experience new places, new people, and new cultures. Traveling wasn’t just about going somewhere else for her — it was about collecting experiences and stories, and bringing a little bit of those places back with her to share.
In all of these things — the music, the dancing, the movies, and her travels — there’s a common thread: she brought people together. She created moments. She made memories. She made ordinary days feel a little more alive.
That’s how I’ll remember her.
Whenever I hear a great song, see someone dancing like nobody’s watching, sit down in a movie theater with friends, or think about exploring somewhere new, I’ll think of her. And I’ll be grateful that I got to share in those moments.
She lived with rhythm. She lived with joy. And she left us with memories that will keep playing long after today.
She will be deeply missed. Read less It’s never easy to put into words what someone meant to us, especially someone who brought so much life and energy into the world... Read more just by being herself.
She had a few things she truly loved: DJing, dancing, going to the movies, and traveling. And those weren’t just hobbies. They were windows into who she was.
When she DJed, she wasn’t just playing music. She was creating a mood, a feeling, a moment. She had this gift for knowing exactly what song people needed to hear, sometimes before we even knew it ourselves. She understood that music connects people, and she loved being the one to make that connection happen.
When she danced, it was pure joy. No hesitation, no self-consciousness — just movement, freedom, and happiness. Watching her dance was a reminder that life isn’t meant to be watched from the sidelines. It’s meant to be felt, fully and without apology.
And those weekly movie nights… that was her ritual. She loved stories, characters, and the shared experience of sitting in a dark theater and escaping into another world for a couple of hours. But what she really loved was the togetherness — having someone to talk about the movie with after, to laugh about it, to debate it, to relive it.
She also loved to travel. She had a curiosity about the world and a desire to experience new places, new people, and new cultures. Traveling wasn’t just about going somewhere else for her — it was about collecting experiences and stories, and bringing a little bit of those places back with her to share.
In all of these things — the music, the dancing, the movies, and her travels — there’s a common thread: she brought people together. She created moments. She made memories. She made ordinary days feel a little more alive.
That’s how I’ll remember her.
Whenever I hear a great song, see someone dancing like nobody’s watching, sit down in a movie theater with friends, or think about exploring somewhere new, I’ll think of her. And I’ll be grateful that I got to share in those moments.
She lived with rhythm. She lived with joy. And she left us with memories that will keep playing long after today.
She will be deeply missed. Read less It’s never easy to put into words what someone meant... Read more to us, especially someone who brought so much life and energy into the world just by being herself.
She had a few things she truly loved: DJing, dancing, going to the movies, and traveling. And those weren’t just hobbies. They were windows into who she was.
When she DJed, she wasn’t just playing music. She was creating a mood, a feeling, a moment. She had this gift for knowing exactly what song people needed to hear, sometimes before we even knew it ourselves. She understood that music connects people, and she loved being the one to make that connection happen.
When she danced, it was pure joy. No hesitation, no self-consciousness — just movement, freedom, and happiness. Watching her dance was a reminder that life isn’t meant to be watched from the sidelines. It’s meant to be felt, fully and without apology.
And those weekly movie nights… that was her ritual. She loved stories, characters, and the shared experience of sitting in a dark theater and escaping into another world for a couple of hours. But what she really loved was the togetherness — having someone to talk about the movie with after, to laugh about it, to debate it, to relive it.
She also loved to travel. She had a curiosity about the world and a desire to experience new places, new people, and new cultures. Traveling wasn’t just about going somewhere else for her — it was about collecting experiences and stories, and bringing a little bit of those places back with her to share.
In all of these things — the music, the dancing, the movies, and her travels — there’s a common thread: she brought people together. She created moments. She made memories. She made ordinary days feel a little more alive.
That’s how I’ll remember her.
Whenever I hear a great song, see someone dancing like nobody’s watching, sit down in a movie theater with friends, or think about exploring somewhere new, I’ll think of her. And I’ll be grateful that I got to share in those moments.
She lived with rhythm. She lived with joy. And she left us with memories that will keep playing long after today.
She will be deeply missed. Read less

Boris Chen

Such a lovely tribute. Thank you ❤️ Such a lovely tribute. Thank you ❤️ Such a lovely tribute. Thank you ❤️

Connie Vasquez

2022

Post office friends

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Boris Chen

Brian McGinley

Anna Cheng

2021, Santa Ana Elks Lodge #794, South Elk Lane, Santa Ana, CA, USA

Wonderful memories at Sant Ana Elk’s Holiday dinner dance

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hanriette Tatevossian

Boris Chen

Brian McGinley

Vee Molinari

2022, Elks Lodge

WCswing

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Boris Chen

Brian McGinley

Comments:

Vee Molinari

Pi-Ian always invited us to dances at the lodge. In addition to being a great DJ, holiday dinner host at... Read more Pi-Ian always invited us to dances at the lodge. In addition to being a great DJ, holiday dinner host at her home and awesome... Read more Pi-Ian always invited us to dances at the lodge. In... Read more

Sophia Wong

2019, Lake Forest Community Center

Physical Fitness Class

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Carrie Mortensen

hanriette Tatevossian

Boris Chen

Brian McGinley

Patricia Phelps

Her retirement party

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Carrie Mortensen

Boris Chen

Brian McGinley

Patricia Phelps

Carrie Mortensen

Boris Chen

Brian McGinley

Comments:

Patricia Phelps

She was a great friend. She always had get together’s for everyone. She always liked to celebrate birthdays.... Read more She was a great friend. She always had get together’s for everyone. She always liked to celebrate birthdays. She will be greatly... Read more She was a great friend. She always had get together’s... Read more