Clara Pan

Clara Chingching Pan, 88, of Palatine, Illinois, retired accountant, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on July 4, 2025. The eldest of four siblings was raised first in China’s Anhui province and then in Taiwan, moving when she was twelve. She graduated from Taipei First Girls’ High School 台北一女中學 and earned her Bachelor’s in Accounting from National Taiwan University 國立臺灣大學 before moving to the United States in 1958 for her Master’s in Accounting from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. In 1959 at a party in Chicago, Clara asked a shy Northwestern University physics graduate student to dance. Although Dr. Jaming Pan says he was never a very good or confident dancer, the two were perfect together. They married on August 26, 1961 and started their family in 1964. The family moved to a series of homes, first in West Lafayette, Indiana for Jaming’s professorship at Purdue University. When Jaming switched campuses to Hammond, Indiana, the family moved to Illinois, starting in Park Forest, then Homewood, Flossmoor, and finally Palatine. According to Jaming, “We started off $1500 in the hole with a car loan from Hoosier State Bank but were fortunate enough to achieve prosperity.” Clara went back to accounting after her youngest child started kindergarten, first at Marshall Field’s on State Street, then to Suburban Heights Medical Center in Chicago Heights. In retirement, Clara served as president of the local chapters of her high school and university alumni associations, hosted many parties, and with Jaming, spent a lot of time travelling the world, especially exploring and enjoying China and Taiwan. Beloved wife of 64 years to Dr. Jaming Pan and devoted mother of Dr. Wilbur (Mary) Pan of East Brunswick, NJ, Hubert (Elaine) Pan of Libertyville, IL, and Wileen (John) Hsing of Northbrook, IL. Adoring grandmother (“Nai Nai” and “Po Po”) of James, Kevin, Kyra, and Sydney Pan, and Sophia Hsing. Survived by siblings Jackie (John) Liu of Las Vegas, Sally (Roger) Feng of Northridge, California, and Michael Sung of Boulder, CO. Clara will also be deeply missed by many nieces, nephews, and countless friends. Preceded in death by parents Hung Yu Sung and Hsiao Lan Liu Sung. A celebration of life is being held 11am-2pm on Sunday July 13 at Glenview Banquet, 1615 N. Milwaukee Ave., Glenview, IL 60025. For more information: https://clarapan.my.canva.site/ In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Stroke Association: https://www.stroke.org or Taipei First Girls' High School Endowment Fund for STEM Education (永續基金): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeh5uJaobZmhmUz_64JJ1DigTCR4It5uVRYgHWfekgof5WFgg/viewform Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-318-1305 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.

Clara Pan

June 22, 1937 - July 4, 2025