Minnie Y. Yee
May 10, 1922 - September 27, 2010
Obituary
Minnie was born to Tom Shee and Lum King Yuen on May 10, 1922. She was second of four daughters, Mabel, Margaret, and Shirley. She and her sisters worked at their dad’s restaurant Nan King Cafe in Seattle. Minnie recalled sitting behind the counter counting change. She attended and graduated from Garfield High School in 1941. She received a Business Training diploma from Thomas A. Edison Vocational School in 1943.
Minnie began a 48 year career with the US Government in 1942. She worked with the War Department, National Housing Authority, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. In 1972 she became an inspector and was stationed at Sea-Tac airport.
She married Joseph T. Yee of Portland, Oregon in 1949 and had a daughter, Alice. They were divorced in the late 50’s and she raised her daughter with the help of her mom and two sisters.
Minnie would take the family on trips to Canada to see relatives and to the World’s Fair in 1986, as well as the Olympic Peninsula and other local attractions. She also took trips with her sisters and for her training as an Immigrations inspector.
She was active in the Chinese Community in the 60s. When Alice was in the Seattle Chinese Community Drill Team, she and her sister Mabel were often chaperones for the team.
Before she was diagnosed with dementia in 2004, you would often see her walking around Seattle, visiting Pike Place Market and other areas in the city. She loved the Mayor-sponsored activities for senior citizens, such as Zoo Day, trips to the Columbia Tower, the Japanese Gardens, and the annual Christmas party, as well as functions at local Senior Centers. In addition you would often see her at the local theater presentations with her sisters.
She is survived by her daughter Alice Rod; granddaughters, Michelle Doug; Cheryl Chris; and great-granddaughter Adria Michelle. She was predeceased by her parents and three sisters.