Helen Shu Yang

Helen was born in Tsingtao, China on January 14, 1921. In her youth, she enjoyed activities in swimming, singing and acting. She graduated from Tsingtao’s Catholic High School and the Fu Ren University in Beijing. In 1949, she and her husband, Joseph, fled to Taiwan, where she worked as an interpreter for the US Military Advisory Group in Taiwan. The family immigrated to the United States in 1959. Helen and Joseph co-owned and operated the “Mandarin Restaurant” in Seattle. The Yangs were the first to introduce Northern Chinese cuisine to patrons. After retiring from the business, Helen showcased her hidden talent in knitting, crafting knitwear for exclusive shops in Everett and Seattle, as well as for friends and family.

She is survived by her three loving children; daughters Cecilia Yang-Fisher, married to John Fisher of Everett, and Josephine Yang-Pruitt, married to David Pruitt of New York, and her son, John Yang of Seattle. Her legacy will also be passed on to her granddaughter, Maya Ling Pruitt.

At only 5ft 1in and 100 pounds, she was the rock of the family and will be forever cherished by her children.

Memorial Mass, 11:00am, Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 2619 Cedar Street (Everett Ave & Cedar) Everett, WA 98203. Celebration follows at Hensen Hall, across the church parking lot.