Mei Mei Foreman

Mei Mei Foreman, 70, of Tuscola (formerly of Villa Grove) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at Carle Hospital in Urbana.

She was born in Taipei City, Taiwan on September 27, 1954. She married Michael Foreman on June 28th, 1980.

Mei Mei came to the United States on a one-way plane ticket.  Mike and Mei Mei met during Mikes long deployment.  The navy brought Mike back to southern California.  They communicated through letters and on-base phone calls for nearly a year and a half.  Mei Mei was at a point in her life that she needed a change.  The request from Mike for her to join him in the U.S. and get married was accepted.  Visas were approved and that one-way ticket was punched.

By the end of Mike’s time in the service they were pregnant and moved back to Illinois where Mike had been raised.  The young family settled in Villa Grove where Mei Mei found work as a waitress at the Railway Inn.  Throughout the years she waited tables at several other establishments as well.  These include the 4 Way Stop, DIXIE, and the Red Barn.  It was through waitressing that Mei Mei made friends, learned English, and became part of a community.  Mei Mei loved to work and anyone will tell you how hard of a worker she was.  As her boys grew and she reached retirement, she found a new love, her grandchildren.  Grandchildren came fast, six in eight years.  They quickly became her new joy. She also enjoyed going shopping and taking walks. She was always giving to those around her. She was so loved by all who knew her. 

She is survived by her husband, Mike Foreman; two children, Matthew (Hanna) Foreman and Merrick (Sara) Foreman; six grandchildren, Aurora, Levi, Nash, Bode, Knox, and Demi; two brothers, Zhao Yu Chang and Zhao Hui Chang, and three sisters, Xiu Xiu Chang, Ya Ling Chang, and Mei Ling Chang.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Chang Hsin Hsiang and Chang Li Chun.  

A celebration of Mei Mei's life will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Joines Funeral Home in Villa Grove.

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