Obituary of Mae Lin

Mae Phoebe Sycip Lin
August 2, 1926 – May 3, 2025

Mae Phoebe Sycip Lin, beloved aunt, mentor, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2025. She was 98 years old.

Born in Fujian, China, on August 2, 1926, Mae moved to Shanghai with her family as a young girl. When the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out in 1937, her family fled to Manila, Philippines, seeking safety and a new life. In 1944, they sought refuge on Fuga Island, along with about 30 other family members, under the guidance of her uncle, Alfonso Sycip. After a harrowing year, in 1945, the family was rescued by the elite US Alamo Scouts and brought back to Manila.

Mae’s resilience and determination guided her through life’s many challenges. She worked for many years at The Yuchengco Group of Companies, one of Southeast Asia’s oldest and largest conglomerates, where she rose to the position of Executive Vice President. She was one of the few women to attain such a high level of leadership, earning the respect and admiration of her colleagues.

After years of remarkable work, Mae moved to the United States in 1971, where she continued to inspire everyone she met with her kindness, sharp wit, and gentle spirit.

Mae was known for her words of wisdom, her love of folding origami birds, and her signature “smiling face” drawings, which she generously shared with anyone who crossed her path. She had an enduring love for storytelling, recounting family history, childhood memories, or humorous lessons from her career—and never missed an opportunity to offer thoughtful life advice to anyone who would listen. 

Her mother’s favorite saying, “Always say what you mean and mean what you say,” was a guiding principle in her life, and she carried it with her in all her endeavors. Mae also prided herself on being a “lazy expert”—someone who could accomplish more with less effort and in less time, all while keeping a calm, unhurried demeanor.

She was predeceased by her beloved sister, Jane Sycip Lin-Fu, and her parents, Yu Lin and Unchong Sycip Lin. Mae is survived by her cherished nieces and nephews, Jeanette and Michael Chen of New Canaan, CT, Emanuel Fu of Potomac, MD, and Stephenie Fu of Washington, DC, as well as her brother-in-law, Ching Mark Fu of Potomac, MD.

Mae will be deeply missed for her wisdom, her warmth, her wit, and her ability to brighten any room she entered. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan, CT 06840, on Thursday, May 8th at 11 a.m. Interment will be private at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, NY.

For online condolences please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com