Gertrude C. Yee Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

December 30, 1919 - May 27, 2020 (100 Years Old) Gertrude "Trudy" Yah Keong Chang Yee, was a very Classy, Dynamic, Strong-minded, Determined, Powerful Woman. She was born on December 30, 1919 into the Third Wave of the "Spanish Flu" Pandemic. She passed away on May 27, 2020, in the midst of the Second Wave of the "Coronavirus" Pandemic, exactly 100 years later. She was always one to make waves all during her life. This Phenomenon is part of her legacy. She lived a full, charmed, colorful, incredibly exciting life. Her motto's in life were, "Never a dull moment" and "any excuse for a party". Those who knew her loved her for her soul, mind, spirit and beautiful smile. Gertrude was the fourth daughter of a family of Eleven (11) children (8 girls/3 boys). My Father (Frederick "Fred" Koon Sai Yee), was the fourth son of a family of Eleven (11) children (10 boys/1 girl). They were destined to collaborate. Gertrude attended Sacred Hearts Convent, until she transferred to Sacred Hearts Academy and graduated in the Class of 1940. In her Senior Year 1940, she won the Shirley Temples Literary College Scholarship Award, for any college of her choice. There was a five block Parade for Shirley Temple, who specifically came to Hawaii to present Gertrude her College Scholarship Award. Gertrude was in a float as the "Princess of the Day'. My Father had spotted her, out of all the other seven sisters at a dance, and he was smittened by her intelligence, beauty and perfect complexion. Having graduated in 1940, Gertrude decided to forego her College Scholarship to marry my father in September 21, 1941. They had a son, Doug ('43) and daughter, Patti ('46), and went on to carry on the Heritage of Yick Lung, when my father's father (Yee Sheong) had Grangrene from a blister and passed away; but, had given the business to my father Fred, since he was the only son to have not gone to college, and had stayed back to help my Grandfather with the business. By the age of eighteen, my Father, Fred had convinced all his brothers and sister to sell him their stocks in Yick Lung, so he bought them all out. He then collaborated with my Mother, to create and expand the business into a myriad of/and to include several other Corporations. Gertrude went from starting out as the Public Relations Director to Executive Assistant (to the President), and also acted as (Corporate Secretary/Treasurer) of all the different businesses. Gertrude then established her presence in the Social Community with a choice few of the prominent Chinese Women in Hawaii, and they commanded all the social events in collaboration with Lois Taylor, who was then Advertiser and Star Bulletin, Social Editor. After my Father, Fred has passed, my Mother, Gertrude then became President/CEO, then eventually retired to Chairwoman Emeritus of all the Corporations. Condolences May be sent to : Yick Lung PO BOX 1517 Honolulu, HI 96806