Dongmei "Xueting, Helen" Xu

Dongmei (known as Xueting or Helen) Xu, a beloved wife, mother, sister and friend, went to Heaven on September 21, 2022, after she and her friends conquered Mt. Whitney, a long-planned hiking site. Sadly, the trip cut her life short, but Helen lived her life to full.

Helen was born on July 19, 1968, in Changchun, Jilin Province, China. Growing up she loved reading novels such as Dream of the Red Chamber, Jane Eyre, The Red & The Black, etc. She developed her talent in literature and writing, particularly poetry, and decided to pursue an education and career in literature.

That changed after she met her future husband Gary Yang, then a college graduate in engineering. She started pursuing her own path as well in engineering and earned her B.E. from Jilin Institute of Architecture and Engineering. They married on September 3, 1989, with their parents’ best wishes. She was excited and proud of becoming a mom to their lovely daughter Kathy in 1992, while working at an industrial trade company.

In 1995, she came over to the US with Kathy to reunite with her husband. While caring for her family, she learned computer science and earned her B.A. from Eastern Connecticut State University. In early 2001, she moved to Tri-Cities, WA, where her husband started his scientific career at PNNL. Months later she gave birth to their adoring son Robert. While taking care of her family, she started her graduate study and earned her M.S. in Environmental Engineering at WSU Tri-Cities in 2005, realizing her dream in education. In 2006, she was proud to become an Environmental Engineer at Energy Northwest.

While she loved her job, Helen always prioritized taking care of her family and raising children. When her husband started his business in Seattle, Helen quit her job so she could focus on supporting her family and Robert’s education. She was proud of Kathy and Robert for entering their dream colleges and Kathy starting her career on Wall St. The most remarkable event that brought her life to full was Kathy and Jake’s marriage and wedding in Rome, Italy on September 10, 2022. With joyful tears, she told friends how full her life was and how proud she was of Kathy and her new son, Jake.

Kind and caring, Helen was very social and made many friends. She loved meeting new friends and hosted parties and events to bring laughter, love and friendship to those around her and her husband. She was also active in the community as Treasurer of the Northeast Chinese Association and Stage Director of the Seattle Drama Club.

In recent years, Helen developed a passion for hiking and became a vivid hiker. The outdoor activities brought her joy and excitement during COVID. After climbing numerous peaks in the Cascade Mt. chain, including Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker and Mt. St. Helens, she and her friends won the lottery last year to climb Mt. Whitney, the highest inland peak outside Alaska.

A loving wife and mom, Helen is also a devoted Christian. She often attended the Eastern Community Christian Church and regularly participated in Friday Bible studies. During the pandemic and before, Helen helped the community in supporting the homeless, donating to those in urgent need, and more.

Helen Xu is survived by her husband, Gary Yang, her daughter, Kathy Yang, son-in-law, Jake Dalaya, and son, Robert Yang.

A memorial service will be held to honor Helen' life at 12:00 PM or noon on October 15, 2022 at Acacia Memorial Park and Funeral Home: 14951 Bothell Way NE, Seattle, WA 98155.

The family wishes to express our sincere thanks to everyone for their prayers, presence and love during this time. Helen loved and touched the lives of many who attended today and we know that she would be thankful that her sisters and brothers have gathered to celebrate her life.