Hope Yee Lee's Obituary
Hope Yee Lee passed away peacefully on September 11, 2023 at the age of 98. She was born on November 24, 1924 to Sham and Lily (Wong) Yee in San Francisco.
Hope grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. After graduating from Walnut Hills High School, she attended the College of Wooster, followed by graduate work at Columbia University and the University of Southern California, where she received a master’s in occupational therapy.
She moved to Honolulu in 1953 after marrying Maurice Lee, her husband of 70 years. After working as an OT at Queen’s Hospital for several years, Hope became a special education teacher, and taught at Pohukaina School and Shriner’s Hospital.
She was a member of Central Union Church, Associated Chinese University Women, and Alpha Delta Kappa.
Hope enjoyed eating chocolate, reading romance novels, cruising and travelling, keeping up with national politics, and staying in touch with her many friends. But most of all, she loved being involved in her grandchildren’s lives.
Hope is survived by Maurice M.H. Lee, sons Jonathan (Jeannie) Lee and Russell Lee, daughter Maura (David) Yee, grandchildren Alicia (Matthew) Ibaraki, Alexander Yee, Jeremy (Kirstin) Lee, Julianne (Kevin) Chew, Erica Lee (Robert Izuta), Christian Lee, great grandson Nathaniel Izuta, and nieces and nephews.
A heartfelt mahalo to the staff at Living Manoa Care Home for their TLC during her twilight years.
Hope’s “giant personality in a petite body” will be missed by all who knew her.
Private services were held.
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