Ming-Hui Wu Arias

Ming-Hui “Ming” Wu Arias passed away on June 2, 2023 at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California. She was 72. Ming was the third child and daughter born on January 20, 1951 to Wu Hseh-Yu and Wu Su-Chu in Taiwan, Republic of China. She had 5 sisters and two brothers.

In the summer of 1972, dashing young United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Renato “Ray” Cruz Arias, who was stationed in Ming’s native Taiwan, met and fell in love with Ming. After a whirlwind romance of six months, Ray asked her to marry him. However, Ray had to undergo two grueling interviews conducted first by Ming’s father (via a translator) and then another by her uncle. Ultimately, he received the blessing of her family, and Ray and Ming were married in January 1973.

Shortly thereafter, Ming flew with Ray to Florida for his new military assignment, which was the beginning of their many great adventures over the next 50 years. Later that year, they welcomed their first child and daughter into the world, Ai-Li. Three years later, they were blessed with the birth of their son, Renato “Ray Jr”. They had so much fun and did everything together as a family, including cooking (e.g., making pizza and other ethnic dishes from scratch), extracurricular activities such as piano recitals and karate, supporting their children in music and marital arts competitions, and going to various theme parks, as well as vacationing in Dana Point each summer.  Ming was a devoted, loving wife and mother. She loved to sing and paint as well as participate enthusiastically in her Zumba classes, but her true passion was to travel and experience different countries and cultures. In their later years, Ming and Ray took several road trips across the US where they were able visit all 50 states. They also went on other adventures around the world and were able to visit all of the 7 continents during their travels.

Ming will be best remembered for her steadfast love, faith, kindness, honesty, and optimism, as well as her beautiful smile that radiated all the way to her crescent moon eyes. She was a beam of sunshine in the lives she touched. Although she grew up as a Buddhist in Taiwan, Ming later converted to Catholicism and was a devout believer. Over her last three years, Ming developed kidney failure which required dialysis. While she had to endure multiple complications and surgical procedures during this time, she always took everything in stride with a positive attitude, courage, and an unwavering faith that God was in control. In September 2022, her prayers were answered and Ming received the gift of a kidney transplant that allowed her to stop dialysis.

Feeling grateful and blessed, Ming was excited to live life to the fullest and was happily making plans to visit family out of state and her birth country, as well as future cruises, when she abruptly and unexpectedly passed. She loved and cherished her family and friends, especially her grandchildren, who will all miss her dearly. Ming will continue to live on in our hearts and memories.

Surviving family members include her loving husband of over 50 years, Renato “Ray” C. Arias; her children, Ai-Li Arias-Thomsen and her husband Thomas, and Renato “Ray Jr.” Arias and his wife Iryna; her beloved grandchildren, Arisa, Cruz, and Max; her sisters Ming-Shang, Ming-Chuan, Ming-Chun and Hui-Ling; and her brothers, Yeng-Hong and Yeng-Shuang. Ming was predeceased by her parents and her oldest sister, Ming-Fone.

The memorial will be held on Saturday, July 29th at Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel. Reception to follow at Rui’s Shanghai Bistro. [Special Request for dress code: If joining us in the Celebration of Life, please wear pastel or brighter colors as Ming loved cheerful colors.]

Celebration of Life

Date: Saturday, July 29, 2023

Visitation: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Time of Service: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Location: Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel

Address: 703 Brookside Avenue; Redlands, CA 92373

(Entrance to parking lot is the second driveway on N Center Street.)