Yu Yau Shyr

Yu-Yau (Joanne) Shyr of Johnston, 67, passed away at Mercy One Hospital in Des Moines on September 3rd, 2026, with her family by her side.

She was born on June 2nd, 1959, in Taipei, Taiwan, the 4th child of five born to Si-Change Shyr and Ta-Cheng Lu.

Yu-Yau graduated with a BSC degree in 1981 and MSC degree in 1983, both from National Taiwan University in Taipei. From 1983-1986, she worked as an Agronomist in the Department of Agronomy at National Taiwan University. In 1986, she decided to come to the US (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) for additional graduate education. It is here where she met Mark, a fellow graduate student. They were married on July 22nd, 1989, in Huntley, IL. Later that year, upon graduation with another MS degree in Agronomy/Biotechnology, she joined Mark in Raleigh, North Carolina. There she worked as a Research Technician for North Carolina State University/USDA until their son Alek was born on March 25th, 1992. From 1993-1995, the family lived in Gent, Belgium, where their daughter Anya was born on February 3rd, 1995. From 1995-2016, the family lived in Newark, Delaware. Yu-Yau worked as Senior Research Associate for DuPont-Pioneer Agricultural Products until a cancer diagnosis in 2010 forced her to take medical retirement.

After this point, she persevered and prevailed for 16 years, enduring numerous treatments, procedures and setbacks. Joining the Wilmington Community Evangelical Church in Delaware helped comfort and sustain her during her most difficult days. While she was able, she enjoyed traveling to various places, but also returning often to visit her family in Taiwan. In addition, she enjoyed both indoor (especially orchids) and outdoor gardening. She loved both her home and adopted country; she became a US citizen in 2001.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Mark Williams, children Alek and Anya (Chris Bahm) Williams, her brother, two sisters and many nieces and nephews in both the US and Taiwan.

She is preceded in death by her parents and sister.

A brief Memorial Service led by the Chinese Christian fellowship will be held at 11:30am on Saturday, September 12th at the Westchester Evangelical Free Church, 4919 NW Aurora Ave., Des Moines, IA. Visitation will be held 3 hours prior to services at the church from 8:30–11:30am. No burial is planned.

Because Yu-Yau strongly believed in education, we request in lieu of flowers or other donations that you consider an extra contribution to your children’s or relatives’ or friends’ children education savings fund.