Over 500 people attended a memorial service at Imagination Stage last Thursday to celebrate the life of Bethesda resident Bill Chin, student Jessie Chin’s father, who passed away Feb. 11.  There were monitors outside the auditorium for people who couldn’t fit in the room to watch the service.

Chin was well-known throughout the Bethesda community and was often seen walking Jessie around Bethesda, never without a smile.

At the memorial, Jessie’s sister Lucy read an essay she wrote and a short message Jessie wrote for her father.  People also sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” in honor of Chin’s love for baseball.  Chin’s family members wore Hawaiian t-shirts from his closet.

Special education teacher Stephen Sutherland said there was a mixed mood at the memorial.  At some moments there wasn’t a dry eye in the auditorium, and during others  the mood was light-hearted.

“He was always such a positive guy who did everything with Jessie,” Sutherland said.  “He was like her best friend.  He did everything for her; whatever she wanted to do, he made it happen.”