Janfen Kao's Obituary
Janfen Kao was born in Nantong, China on August 20, 1939. She was one of five children and the oldest daughter to parents Pei Tsu and Shu Chuan Ko. In 1949, during the Chinese Revolution, the family moved to Tainan,Taiwan where she spent the majority of her childhood and provided support for her parents and siblings. As a teenager, she became very interested in the Catholic Church and spent a large portion of her time talking to priests and other clergy members to learn and embrace the faith which would become the loyal foundation of her life. At the young age of 21, Janfen met a handsome admirer named George Kao while he was traveling internationally for the United States Embassy delegation program. Throughout his extensive global travels, he had never met someone as beautiful, intelligent, and confident. He would soon come to realize that he wanted her to be his lifelong companion. After their marriage, Janfen was soon granted US citizenship and courageously left China for the first time to join her new husband in Tennessee. Soon thereafter, Janfen added to her role as a devoted spouse and became a mother when blessed with their first child, Jane Malan. In her amazing determination while supporting George’s career and raising their daughter, she also decided to continue her advanced studies and obtained her Associates Degree in Accounting. In 1967, she again took on a new life challenge when George accepted a new Professorship position at the University of Tennessee, Martin. Janfen was a major contributor in assisting George to obtain his PhD degree in Political Science & International law. By this time, she had advanced her knowledge of US government & law, managing the family finances, and excelling in motherhood. In 1970, as they were designing and building their first home, they were blessed again with their second child, David Ilan. As she focused on raising their two children, Janfen would love to cook Chinese food for family and friends. Always the humble host, she would enjoy inviting close friends and University colleagues over to the house where they would discuss Chinese culture and tell stories of their childhood. As the children got older, Janfen decided to return to work and was hired as a librarian at the University of Tennessee Paul Meek Library. Her innate nature would always push Janfen to learn and experience new challenges. She was an early adopter of computer programing and was a master at solving mechanical problems. She would show young David how to disassemble mechanical devices and repair them, which would later influence David into Engineering. Janfen was also a mentor, coach, and proud mother to David as he competed in baseball, basketball, and tennis. She volunteered as Team Mom and successfully helped David achieve top state and regional rankings in tennis. She also witnessed Jane’s love for children. She was therefore extremely influential in Jane’s decision to pursue a career in medicine and eventually to become a Pediatric Cardiologist. As the children grew and moved on to College, Janfen would enjoy hosting countless foreign exchange students through the University international program and would again showcase her cooking while providing successful motherly guidance to the students. After 20 years of service to the University of Tennessee, she retired in 2003 and relocated with George to Plano, Texas. During her time in Plano, she assisted and worked with Jane in her successful medical practice. In retirement, Janfen and George loved to travel to China, Europe, and throughout the United States, often visiting David, his wife Joanne, and her two granddaughters Samantha and Nicole in Florida. They were extremely happy and honored to be early active members of the Mission of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and felt embraced by the community. On June 19, 2017, Janfen Kao passed away and entered into the house of our Lord Jesus Christ to join her husband George, with whom she shared 56 loving years. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, great aunt, sister, mentor, and friend. She will be deeply missed. She is survived by her loving family. Dr. Jane M. Kao, Pediatric Cardiologist, founder of the Heart Center for Children in Dallas, TX. David I. Kao, Vice President Worldwide for Siemens Corporation in Orlando, FL and Spouse, Joanne Kao, Business Coordinator for Orlando City Youth Soccer. Samantha Kao, Freshman at Florida State University studying Sports Medicine. Nicole Kao, a Sophomore Principles Honor student at Lake Mary High School and selected participant in the National AP Capstone Honors program. For the Visitation, Vigil Service, & Rosary – Tuesday, June 27 Restland Memorial Chapel 13005 Greenville Avenue Dallas, Texas 75243 4:00pm – 7:00pm Open Visitation 7:00pm – 7:30pm Vigil Service 7:30pm – 8:00pm Rosary For the Funeral Mass – Saturday, July 1 Mission of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church 4201 14th Street Plano TX 75074 9:15am – 9:45am Rosary 10:00am – 11:15am Funeral Mass Final Rites & Burial – Saturday, July 1 Restland Cemetery 13005 Greenville Avenue Dallas, Texas 75243 12:00pm – 12:30pm Final Rites & Burial
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