Dora (Yun-Qing) Liu Zia, of Raleigh, NC, passed away on April 27, 2025, at the age of 96.

Dora was a life-long lover of literature, poetry, languages, and the written word. She studied English, French, and Russian in her early schooling but, upon immigrating to the United States from China in her early twenties, concentrated on perfecting her English. She went on to earn a master’s degree in English from the University of Washington and later a master’s degree in library science from Syracuse University. As a librarian, she held positions at NC State University’s DH Hill Library, the Library of the State of NC, and Becton Dickinson, finally retiring from NCSU’s Vet School Library.

A talented and devoted gardener, Dora was a long-time volunteer at the JC Raulston Arboretum and at the Highland United Methodist Church community garden. Her personal yard was a profusion of color, variety, and scent, including hundreds of daffodils, hellebores, and azaleas. Among her favorites were osmanthus bushes, whose floral scent reminded her of her native China.

At barely five feet tall and 95 pounds, Dora would shop for cars based on whether she could see over the steering wheel, yet her stature belied a fiercely proud, passionate, and opinionated personality. She will be remembered for her spunk and wit, her utter devotion to her family and grandchildren, and her love for bananas, peanut butter, sweet potatoes, and ice cream.

Dora is preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Dr. Paul Zia, Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering at NCSU. She is survived by her children, May and Lee, grandchildren, Tessa, Matthew, Sara, and Carlin, and siblings, Nancy, Grace, and Albert. At her request (insistence!), there will be no public service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Dora’s name to the JC Raulston Arboretum. Contributions can be made by check, payable to the NC Agricultural Foundation, and mailed to: JC Raulston Arboretum, Campus Box 7522, Raleigh, NC 27695. (Please note "JCRA Dora Zia Memorial" in the check memo line.) Alternatively, donations can be made over the phone by calling 919-513-0264.

The family will remain forever grateful for the excellent care of the nurses, aides and staff of the Rosewood Health Center at the Cypress of Raleigh.