Brenda Yu-Feng Kan (neé Ling), 72, of Holmdel, NJ, passed away at home surrounded by family on Tuesday morning, June 18^th.

Brenda was born in Keelung City, Taiwan to Chen Tze-Hwa and Ling Chi-Teh, the youngest of three children (Amelia Lee and Robert Ling of Houston, TX). She took great pride in graduating from the esteemed National Taiwan University in 1973 after which she moved all the way to Worcester, Massachusetts to earn a Master of Science in Biochemistry from Clark University in 1975. While in Massachusetts, Brenda was introduced through family friends to Hsin-Kuo Kan who was studying in Cambridge. Brenda and Hsin spent some of their happiest years in Cambridge with many close friends from Taiwan.

Brenda began her career in Biochemistry in 1976 upon moving to New Jersey. After working at Princeton University and Worthington Biochemistry Corporation, she formed her own company, Biotrol, with her former colleague where she served in many executive roles including Head of Sales & Marketing as the company grew. After Biotrol was sold to Merck and then finally to Genzyme Corporation (now Sanofi) Brenda worked the final part of her career for Genzyme until her retirement in 2012.

Brenda was an avid reader and ballroom dancer, Zumba enthusiast, core member of the Monmouth Community Christian Church’s women’s fellowship and frequent cruise ship passenger with her husband and her countless friends. She will be fondly remembered for her strong will, honesty, fierce loyalty, and especially for caring tirelessly for those around her.

Brenda was the devoted wife of almost 49 years of Hsin-Kuo; proud mother of Amanda Kan (John O’Meara) of New York, NY; and adoring grandmother of Carter and James O’Meara. Becoming a grandmother (Pó Po, 婆婆) was her most fulfilling role and one she cherished above all else.

A private funeral service for family members will be held at Woodbine Cemetery in Oceanport, NJ with a burial thereafter.

In lieu of flowers or food, donations can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The family extends its deepest gratitude to the doctors, nurse practitioners and nurses at MSK and Compassionate Care Hospice who cared for her with such empathy and kindness.