How Darien's Family Would Describe Him

Darien was the kind of person who made others feel at ease the moment they were around him.

His calm demeanor, coupled with his natural empathy, made him someone people could always rely on. He had a way of making everyone feel special, no matter how small the gesture. He wasn’t the loudest in the room, but his presence was felt in every interaction. He had an incredible sense of humor, often bringing a smile to the faces of those around him—even when he was going through tough times himself. His laugh, so infectious, was a reflection of his bright spirit and loving heart.

Darien had a heart full of quiet strength and unwavering love.

Even as a young boy, his caring nature shone through. I remember vividly a time when I had a severe migraine, one so intense that I was vomiting uncontrollably. Darien was only seven years old, and I asked him to shower his younger siblings—Leon, who was four, and Kyleen, who was three—look for my pain medication, set the security alarm, and turn off all the lights. He did everything I asked, calmly and without hesitation. Even then, his instinct was to take care of others.

By the age of ten, Darien was already helping with house chores without being asked.

Whether it was taking out the trash, cleaning the table, or tidying up the kitchen, he did it with quiet diligence and never a complaint. Before he even had a car,  occasionally I would ask Darien to walk from Arcadia High School to First Avenue to pick up his siblings, then walk home with them—just to make sure they were safe and not alone. He always put his family first, no matter the inconvenience or how tired he might have been.

Darien believed in living thoughtfully and with intention.

He would always remind us not to waste food—never to over-order, and if we did, we had to finish the leftovers before getting anything fresh. He didn’t like being wasteful, always thinking about the impact of our choices. This mindful approach to life extended into everything he did.

As he grew older, his sense of responsibility only deepened.

At 18, when we were away on business trips, Darien made sure the household kept running smoothly. He took his siblings to school and drove Kyleen to piano lessons, color guard practice, fencing, and Leon to chemistry tutoring. He brought his younger siblings to the mall, out for meals, and never once complained.

He was also a calming, joyful presence in our home. No matter how he was feeling, Darien always tried to make everyone laugh—even when he himself was down. His laugh was so contagious—so full of life and joy that anyone nearby couldn’t help but join in. It was one of those laughs that lifted the spirits of everyone in the room, a reminder of his warmth and infectious personality.

Darien’s generosity and thoughtfulness extended into every part of his life.

In June 2024, when I was unwell, he took me to urgent care, picked up my medication, made porridge, and even went to Costco for dog food on the same day. He would walk the dog regularly, cook rice, clean up after meals, roll in and out trash cans, and insisted on doing his own laundry and vacuuming his room.

One of the most beautiful expressions of his love was in the way he celebrated special occasions like my birthday, his dad’s or siblings' birthdays, Father's Day or Mother’s Day. Darien always made sure to show his love through thoughtful, meaningful gifts. On these days, he would surprise our family with something special, whether it was a handmade clay figure, an origami creation, a drawing, or something small he picked out at the mall. Each gift, no matter its size, was always given with so much love and thought, a reflection of how well he knew all of us and how deeply he cared.

Darien's thoughtfulness wasn't just about family, either. One time, when a friend’s car got towed, Darien sponsored her $100 to help out—because that’s just the kind of person he was, always looking for ways to help others, no matter the cost to himself. He never asked for much in return and preferred simple gifts. If I gave him a Christmas gift worth more than $100, he would make me return it. He made me return many items in the past several years. When he received his first paycheck from his internship at Oasis, he didn’t spend it on himself—he treated our whole family to dinner at any restaurant we chose.

One time, he won a brand-new gaming keyboard. Instead of keeping it, he gave it to me—just because he knew that I would love it. Darien also loved spending time with his younger cousins, ages four to nine. He played hide-and-seek, tossed a ball with them, and made them feel special and loved.

When he was a couple of blocks away from stores like Trader Joe’s or H-Mart, he would call to ask if I needed anything. And when I was down, he would simply hug me—his presence always enough to make things feel a little better.

Darien also worked for our family business. He helped launch a brand-new website featuring our latest products and kept our existing site up to date. When he saw ways to improve efficiency, he wrote custom programs to automate tasks and make things easier for everyone. He used his skills not to impress, but to help—always thinking of others before himself.

Despite his many talents and accomplishments, Darien never sought the spotlight.

He was humble, never one to boast about his achievements or expect anything in return for his kindness. He lived with a quiet integrity that touched everyone he met. Whether he was helping with household chores, offering a listening ear, or sharing his skills in coding to make life easier for others, Darien always put others first. His personality was one of warmth, humility, and an unwavering desire to make the world a better place for those around him.

Darien had many hobbies that reflected his love of life and people. He loved helping others, exercising, working out, swimming, reading books, and playing online games with his friends. His joy in these activities was never self-centered—it was about sharing joy, staying healthy, and connecting with others.

Darien received a competitive summer internship offer for 2025 from Fincons.

One of the recruiters shared,

“I remember meeting Darien at the college recruiting event—he was one of the students who stood out right away. He was sharp, confident, and had a great energy about him. When he came to lunch with the team, he fit right in with the culture—like he’d been part of the group all along. Darien really separated himself from the pack. When T. and I called to offer him the internship, he was over the moon. His excitement made us excited. He was the kind of person who made us feel good about the team we’re building at FinconsUS—someone who brought energy, humility, and a genuine interest in being part of something. He had all the intangibles we look for but rarely find.”

Everyone who met him said the same things—Darien was respectful, hardworking, responsible, caring, humble, considerate, talented, and intelligent. These weren’t just qualities he possessed—they were values he lived by, consistently and quietly. He didn’t just leave an impression; he left a legacy.

Darien lived with purpose, humility, and a love that touched every life around him.

His quiet acts of care, his dependability, his warmth, and his deeply giving nature are the soul of the Darien Lin Foundation. Through this work, his spirit continues to light the way for others—reminding us all to live with heart, and to drive with it too.

Love,

Alan, Vivian, Kyleen, and Leon <3