Yvonne Hsieh

12/05/1919 — 06/13/2007

From Kennewick, WA, US | Born in Canton, China

Yvonne Hsieh

Yvonne completed her earthly journey and transitioned peacefully at her residence in Kennewick on June 13th, 2007, in the presence of her loving family. She is an incredible lady who combines exceptional intelligence, kindness, grace, and wit. Her life story is just as incredible.

Yvonne's father was an advanced thinker way ahead of his time. As an educated young man from a well-to-do Chinese family, he was sought after by many match-makers during the Ching dynasty when all educated ladies had tiny bound feet. He went against tradition to seek an intellectual wife with natural-grown feet, which was almost impossible. Meanwhile in a neighboring province, the top Educator had an only child, a daughter who insisted on preserving her natural feet. Unable to attend public school because her feet were not bound, she was home-schooled by her highly educated father who would do anything for his only child whom he treated like a son.

The match of Yvonne's parents was meant to be, after a long and extensive search. Yvonne was born 10 years later in Canton, China, and grew up as the focus of love among 7 children. At the end of Grade 3, she was stricken by measles and forced to quit school. Upon recuperating at home and studying for one summer, she skipped 3 grades and passed the entrance exam for Grade 7. Throughout her education, Yvonne always did well in school without having to work very hard, because she was gifted with sharp comprehension and a photographic memory.

Yvonne was never a home-maker; she could only do scrambled eggs. She was a talented language teacher who constantly used creative methods to help her students learn. She taught Mandarin to officers of the U.S. Military in Taiwan as well as taught English to numerous college graduates and professionals. She was well respected and loved by her students; some of them kept in touch with her for decades.

During her lifetime Yvonne developed many interests and excelled in them through self-study; she never had the patience to take formal lessons. She graduated from Yan-Jing University in Bei-Jing as the undefeated tennis champion. Even at 80, she won the gold medal in table tennis ping-pong in the 70's age group and went on to challenge the 60's age group; she ended up with a silver medal in the U.S. Open for Table Tennis in Los Angeles, California, in 1994.

Yvonne loves people and has many friends who love her dearly for her thoughtfulness, generosity, and great sense of humor. She always keeps track of her friends and relatives with long letters written in excellent penmanship; even in her 80's, she makes the effort to write beautiful poems for her children's birthdays that fit their personalities to the tee. She is a gracious hostess who always makes sure her visitors are well fed; she is never a wall-flower in a party because of her quick wit and keen observation of others personalities; she enjoys good chats with her sons-in-law Dan, Paul, and James, sometimes into the middle of the night over a glass of Bailey's.

As a lady with exceptional inner strength and a back bone of steel, Yvonne is a devoted Mom who has made many sacrifices for her children but never complained. She was elected the ''2002 Mother of the Year'' by the Colorado Chinese community.

Yvonne is preceded in transition by husband Yu-Tsai and daughter Anna. She leaves behind 3 sons John Mei-Ling, Dick Anne, and James Janet; 6 daughters Mei-Ping, Li-Ping Hsien-Tung, Kitty Dan, Wan-Ping, Kuo-Ping, and Ena James; 10 grandsons King-Chee, King-Wei, Charles, Benjamin, Warren Misty, Edel, Mick, Eugene, Teddy, and Ivo; 6 granddaughters Lily, Judy, Lori Yu-Chang, Lisa, Sharon Hsieh and Sharon Yueh; 5 great-grand children; 2 brothers Sam and Bong; 2 sisters Diana and Georgene; and a cousin Lucia.

In honor of Yvonne's wishes, there will be no services at this time. Cremation will be conducted by Einan's Funeral Home. You are welcome to express your thoughts and memories in the online guest book at www.cinansfuneralhome.com

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Yvonne Hsieh

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  • Yvonne is everything I wanted to be in my life.

    Lucia Chen
    November 4, 2014
    South, Korea
  • Condolences to all our family, and thanks to all for being there for Grandma Yvonne. She is well remembered by all her family and friends.

    Eugene Vassilev
    November 4, 2014
    Vancouver, BC, CA
  • Eugene, Mick and I will miss Yvonne very much. Every time we met we always wanted the visits to last longer, there was never enough time. For as long as Yvonne could, she always managed to come by and see us – Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver. We shared many stories, had many laughs, talked late into evenings and sipped Bailey’s Irish cream. Yvonne will be sadly missed by all of us. We have many loving memories to remind of us of our shared moments.

    Paul Vassilev
    November 4, 2014
    Vancouver, BC, CA
  • You had a hard life, Mom, you also had a blessed life. “Hard” in the sense that you shouldered the maternal responsibility of more than one mother with more than your share of mental anguish and physical exhaustion due to the heavy burden you had to bear. “Blessed” in the sense that you possessed a sound mind and a high intelligence; a relentless spirit coupled with perseverance and resilience; the ever youthful curiosity in exploring new territories especially involving knowledge to maintain an active mind and to keep life interesting; most of all, a great and unique sense of humor that never failed to appreciate the funny side in life’s everyday and sometimes awkward situations. With all these blessed gifts, not only have you weathered numerous storms in life but have projected the spirit as the Rock of Gibraltar for your family. With love and gratitude, we thank you heartily for what you have done for us, but our thank you could never be big enough for all your care and sacrifice. You’re exceptional, Mom, may your spirit live on all the days of our lives.

    Your daughter with love,

    Shay

    Shay K. Hsieh
    November 4, 2014
    Chicago, IL, US
  • No. 1 Big-Sister – Our heartfelt appreciation for your love and care for our FATHER during his last years in Taipei while we were away in college. Especially great and ingenious was your loving creation of a Personalized Cantonese-English Conversation & Travel Guide with which he was able to travel safely to the US by himself with only limited English vocabulary. For this, you earned the good name of “Double No. 1”, as often proudly quoted by your late husband, our No. 1 Brother-in-law. We treasure this and many more happy memories.

    No. 10 younger-sister and Brother-in-law John

    Jorchin Ho & John Seward
    November 4, 2014
    Ann, Arbor, MI, US
  • Yvonne is everything I wanted to be in my life.

    Lucia Chen
    November 4, 2014
    South, Korea
  • Condolences to all our family, and thanks to all for being there for Grandma Yvonne. She is well remembered by all her family and friends.

    Eugene Vassilev
    November 4, 2014
    Vancouver, BC, CA
  • Eugene, Mick and I will miss Yvonne very much. Every time we met we always wanted the visits to last longer, there was never enough time. For as long as Yvonne could, she always managed to come by and see us – Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver. We shared many stories, had many laughs, talked late into evenings and sipped Bailey’s Irish cream. Yvonne will be sadly missed by all of us. We have many loving memories to remind of us of our shared moments.

    Paul Vassilev
    November 4, 2014
    Vancouver, BC, CA
  • You had a hard life, Mom, you also had a blessed life. “Hard” in the sense that you shouldered the maternal responsibility of more than one mother with more than your share of mental anguish and physical exhaustion due to the heavy burden you had to bear. “Blessed” in the sense that you possessed a sound mind and a high intelligence; a relentless spirit coupled with perseverance and resilience; the ever youthful curiosity in exploring new territories especially involving knowledge to maintain an active mind and to keep life interesting; most of all, a great and unique sense of humor that never failed to appreciate the funny side in life’s everyday and sometimes awkward situations. With all these blessed gifts, not only have you weathered numerous storms in life but have projected the spirit as the Rock of Gibraltar for your family. With love and gratitude, we thank you heartily for what you have done for us, but our thank you could never be big enough for all your care and sacrifice. You’re exceptional, Mom, may your spirit live on all the days of our lives.

    Your daughter with love,

    Shay

    Shay K. Hsieh
    November 4, 2014
    Chicago, IL, US
  • No. 1 Big-Sister – Our heartfelt appreciation for your love and care for our FATHER during his last years in Taipei while we were away in college. Especially great and ingenious was your loving creation of a Personalized Cantonese-English Conversation & Travel Guide with which he was able to travel safely to the US by himself with only limited English vocabulary. For this, you earned the good name of “Double No. 1”, as often proudly quoted by your late husband, our No. 1 Brother-in-law. We treasure this and many more happy memories.

    No. 10 younger-sister and Brother-in-law John

    Jorchin Ho & John Seward
    November 4, 2014
    Ann, Arbor, MI, US
  • Li-Ping & Hsien-Tung Liu
    November 4, 2014
    Yucaipa, CA, US
  • My grandmother was a genuine, Loving woman who was always trying to help others. She is and will always be my inspiration.

    I will truly miss her. She is in a peaceful place now and She is with our Lord. I know I will see her again!

    Sharon Yueh
    November 4, 2014
    GwangJu, JuroNam, Do, South, Korea
  • MOM, I APPRECIATED ALL THE LOVE THAT YOU GAVE ME AND BROUGHT ME INTO THIS

    WONDERFUL WORLD.YOUR WORDS OF PRAISE AND ENCOURAGEMENT HAS MADE MY LIFE SO EASY AND SMOOTH. I STILL WANT TO BE YOUR SON IF WE’RE ALL HAVE A NEXT LIFE.

    MOM, I LOVE YOU AS ALWAYS.

    JAMES KUOKAI HSIEH

    JAMES KUOKAI HSIEH
    November 4, 2014
    DIAMOND, BAR,, CA, US
  • I can just sense, Mom, the question mark on your face wondering what I meant and then come out with something funny. Well, what I meant was that there was a time you worked three jobs and when you got home Eric King would be waiting in our living room for you to teach him English; the session usually lasted until 10:30 to 11:00 PM, and you needed to get up very early in the morning. Working on those jobs and taking care of our school required payments of different kinds aside from daily necessities, you’re often anxious about how to make ends meet mental anguish. That’s what I meant by being “more than one mother”. We are sure that you are now resting in His everlasting arms. Love from all.

    Shay K. Hsieh
    November 4, 2014
    Chicago, IL, US
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