Wei Xie (谢微)

Wei was a beloved wife, mother, physician, scientist, and friend whose life was marked by intelligence, generosity, courage, and love. 

Born and raised in Hunan, China, Wei earned her medical degree from Xiangya School of Medicine and later a master's degree in bioinformatics from Georgia Tech. A gifted physician-scientist, she contributed to pioneering research in human genetics. When her daughters Lucy and Anna arrived, Wei devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising them, bringing to motherhood the same curiosity, determination, and extraordinary attention to detail that characterized her scientific life. Watching them grow into remarkable young women was among her greatest joys. 

Wei had a warm and generous heart. Even during more than five years battling breast cancer, she continued sharing her experiences and encouragement with fellow patients, bringing laughter and warmth to friends and caregivers even through tremendous pain. 

Wei met her husband, YuHuang, by chance on an airplane from China to the United States on August 5, 1998. She fell asleep with her head resting on his shoulder, and he stayed still through the night so he would not wake her. He thought Wei was an angel sent to sit beside him. Twenty-eight years and two days later, she fell asleep once more, peacefully.