Lindi Zhao, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2024, in Chicago, IL, at the age of 80. Born on October 21, 1944, in China, Lindi's early years were shaped by the turbulent times of the Chinese civil war and the Cultural Revolution. She endured the loss of her mother at the age of 11 and became independent early in her life. After graduating from college during the Cultural Revolution, she worked as an engineer at a hydropower plant in rural Sichuan China. She subsequently moved to Chengdu where she would raise her two daughters while working as a chemical engineer.

In 1991, she moved to Chicago with her family where she would begin a new life with resilience. She took English lessons at local high schools and churches and worked as a Nanny to help support her family.

Lindi had an extraordinary gift for connecting with people. Outgoing and warm-hearted, she formed meaningful relationships wherever she went. She was like a public relations master, always knowing how to make others feel valued and appreciated. Her kindness and genuine care for others left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

Throughout her life, Lindi was always selfless, placing the needs of her family above her own. As a mother, she sacrificed her own career so her daughters could have a better life in America. As a grandmother, she was loving and always spoiling her grandchildren with candy and home-made traditional Chinese treats. Rayhan and Sophie were the light of her life. She would rise before dawn to prepare breakfast for her grandson and cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren. From sharing life lessons to encouraging them to dream big, she was a guiding light and a source of endless love and wisdom.

Lindi's legacy is carried on by her devoted daughters, Chun Feng and Xiao Feng. She was a source of wisdom, strength, and encouragement to her family, instilling in them the values of hard work, education, and the importance of family bonds. Her grandchildren, Rayhan Feng and Sophie Wood, will forever cherish the memories of their grandmother's stories, laughter, and the tender moments they shared.

Her absence leaves a void that can never be filled, but her memory will forever be etched in our hearts. We will miss her warmth, her laughter, and her unwavering love. She was our everything, and we loved her more than words can express.

May she rest in eternal peace, knowing how deeply she was cherished and loved. how profoundly she will be missed.