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