Elijah Qian Yi Chen

Elijah Qian Yi Chen, 16, of Needham, passed away unexpectedly on September 14, 2026. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on June 23, 2010.

He was in his junior year at Needham High School and was a member of the football team and track team. He was also part of the church family at the Chinese Bible Church of Greater Boston in Lexington. Elijah was a bright light in the lives of everyone who knew him, a gentle soul who brought joy, kindness, and love to everyone around him.

Elijah had a deep passion for sports, with football being his absolute favorite sport to play. When he wasn’t on the field, he loved watching all kinds of sports and deeply enjoyed playing NFL on his Xbox. He loved to talk about sports, dissecting plays and sharing his passion with anyone who would listen. He brought a genuine energy and enthusiasm to every matchup he played, watched, or talked about.

He possessed a bright mind and was a naturally fast learner. Elijah had a wonderful ability to quickly understand concepts and apply them to solve different problems. His intellect was fueled by his love for reading, particularly novels, which he devoured at an incredible speed. He approached the world with a quiet curiosity and an eager mind.

Elijah was a true team player. His Sunday school teacher once noted that Elijah was always willing to compromise his own individual benefit for the benefit of the team. He placed no value on personal glory; instead, he genuinely valued the team’s collective accomplishments far more than his own.

He lived out his faith quietly and faithfully through his regular church attendance and dedicated service to others. His heart was defined by a deep kindness and an eagerness to care for people that began when he was just a little boy. His teachers and counselors often praised him for taking care of younger children, making sure they were safe and included. As the oldest son in his family, he carried this same protective love at home, deeply caring for his younger brother and sister. Furthermore, he is unselfish, always happily sharing his treats and toys with them.

He possessed a servant's heart, dedicating himself to his community from a young age. He has been serving at Vocation Bible School (VBS) every summer since he was in 6th grade. He also spent many years at Pilgrim Camp in New York, returning this past summer as a dedicated kitchen volunteer to give back to the place he loved. Through all his hard work, faithful service, and deep love, Elijah was also wonderfully humorous, always lighting up the room and bringing silly, joyful laughter to his family and friends.

Elijah is survived by his parents, Matthew Chen and Yuting Zhang and his siblings, Emmanuel and Esther.

Visitation will be held at the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Rd., Bedford, on Friday, September 25, from 4:00-7:00 PM

A funeral service will be held at the Chinese Bible Church of Greater Boston, 149 Old Spring St., Lexington, on Saturday, September 26, at 9:30 AM. Burial will follow at Needham Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family will soon set up a charitable fund to receive donations.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4