Ying Chun Lee

Ying Chun 'Jean' Lee passed away peacefully in Maple Valley, Washington on the morning of December 24, 2015. She was born on April 19th,1930 to Chau Ying Lau and Yick Gang Leung in Canton, China. Jean married Fay Min Lee in Canton on January of 1947. In 1949, Fay immigrated to the United States in search of a better life for his family. Soon after, China closed its borders, and nine years would pass before Jean and their daughter Soo, were reunited with Fay in Richland, Washington.

Jean learned English in Marie Phillips’ first grade classroom at Lewis and Clark Elementary School in Richland. Jean was well known by students and staff for her Chinese cookies. She became lifelong friends with many of the staff and their families, and with their help successfully became a naturalized citizen. Jean was a stay at home mom until her youngest was a preschooler and joined Fay in his then (partnered) business, the C & L Tahitian Restaurant. Jean always had a smile for every customer who came through the door. She memorized the whole menu, prices and all. She could man both the American and Chinese side of the kitchen, and run the dining room. Jean was known to go behind the bar in their lounge to pour drinks for customers. She would ask the customer, “What bottle? How make? How much (to pour)?” The customers were never disappointed when she bartended.

Jean and Fay were outstanding cooks. When they hosted sit-down dinners for 20 to 30 friends in their home, their guest were treated to a meal not only pleasing to the eye but appealing to the senses. Jean and Fay ran Lee's Tahitian as a sole proprietorship from 1975 until his passing in 1985, at which time daughter Alice and later son Ron, joined the family business. Jean sold the business and retired in 1997.

Jean had many talents besides cooking. She sewed for herself and her children using her own patterns, knitted sweaters, slippers and scarves, crocheted baby blankets and embroidered. She enjoyed gardening and her grandchildren hold fond memories of harvesting Asian pears, plums and winter melons with her in her backyard. In her later years, she liked to sketch, paint and color pictures of flowers and birds, read and write Chinese poetry, practice Chinese calligraphy and exercise. She told her children to practice writing to keep the mind sharp and to exercise to keep the body healthy. She read books on natural medicine and often shared her knowledge with family and friends. Her interest in Chinese herbs and natural healing stemmed from her uncle who had been an herbalist in China.

She took great joy in her family. Jean believed in the importance of education and was very proud that all 6 of her children and 4 grandchildren graduated from college. In her 8th decade she welcomed 2 more grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Jean loved having the little ones teach her letters, numbers and songs building their love for learning. Jean is survived by 2 brothers Jim Liang and Paul Leung (Patti), 2 sisters Har Chun Wong and Poi Chun Leung; 5 daughters Soo Hui (Ken), Alice Lee, May Lee, Marie Lee, Stefanie Harder (Reed), a son Ron Lee (Mei), 6 grandchildren Michelle Basilio (Patrick), Jaclyn, Michael and Jenifer Hui, RyLee Harder and Jonathan Lee and 2 great grandchildren Christian and Mia Basilio and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and nephew. Her husband Fay, brother-in-law Moon Toon Kwong and sister-in-law Chen Liang preceded her in passing.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Seattle Lee Family Association, 3217 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144 or Tri-Cities Chinese Alliance Church, 2004 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99354