Edith Chin Young

Edith’s father passed away when she was just 3-years-old. Following his passing, Edith, her mother, and her two sisters, Helen and Doris, traveled for three weeks in the 3rd class steerage section in the hull of the ship to reach Hong Kong.

Eventually, the family made their way back to Portland. During Edith’s early childhood, times were tough and they found themselves moving several times and living in primitive conditions.

Her mother bought a restaurant in downtown Portland called Soo Chow Inn and once again the family moved to live behind the restaurant. Helen and Edith worked at the restaurant for 2 years when the war began. The restaurant was eventually sold and Edith found work at a company that manufactured radio crystals for the war.

It was during a group outing among friends in 1949 that Edith met Henry. After a six-month courtship, Henry proposed to Edith while at her mother’s house. The two were married on February 5, 1950 at Rose City Presbyterian Church in Portland. The ceremony was a joyous occasion, followed by a dinner at the Pagoda restaurant where Henry had recently found employment. The following year, Henry and Edith welcomed their first child, Gary. Three years later Jolene was born, and exactly two years later to the date the family was completed with the birth of Karen. After living in Bremerton and Las Vegas, the family of 5 settled permanently in Portland in 1957 where they bought their first home in Ladd’s Addition.

Edith held many jobs during her lifetime – stock person at Meier & Frank, sales person in the dress department, head waitress at the Canlis Restaurant atop the Hilton Hotel, clerical records keeper at Medical Center Hospital, and administrative assistant in the yellow pages at Pacific NW Bell.

After retirement, some of Edith’s best memories were made from her travel experiences – several trips to Hong Kong and mainland China, Japan, Bangkok, the Panama Canal; Toronto, Canada; and various cities throughout the U.S. Included in her U.S. travels were many unforgettable trips with her grandkids.

An integral part of Edith's social life were the frequent fun and close times with her many cousins. Even after the cousins moved out of state and had families of their own, Edith always looked forward to their yearly visits together.

Of the virtuous qualities that Edith regarded as essential, honesty and integrity were highest on the list. But of all the things for which Edith cared most, none trumped the importance of caring for her family. She will be remembered with fondness and gratitude for the legacy that she has left behind.