Ellen Lai-Han-Lee Yip

March 5, 1952 – May 20, 2025

Ellen Lai Han Lee Yip, 73, entered into the glory of our Lord on May 20, 2025, at a care home in Renton, Washington, after a courageous journey with Alzheimer’s. She was born on March 5, 1952, in Tai-San village in Canton, China.

Early Life

Ellen—known lovingly by many as Lee, Lai Han—was born into a family that had already endured much loss. Despite hardship and limited means, she brought new hope and joy to her parents. As a young child, she and her family moved to Kowloon, Hong Kong, where she was raised. Ellen excelled in all she did. She was social and loved being with people and her friends. She was a star hackysack player and chinese jump roper, and applied herself in school. However, due to a late start in formal education, she chose to begin working at a young age. She became certified to work in a garment factory for several years, forming lasting friendships that she maintained until her health declined.

In 1975, Ellen married Kai Wai Yip and courageously immigrated to the United States. Together they built a new life from scratch, raising four children: Gordon, Norita, Grover, and Naomi.

Personal Life and Achievements

Ellen was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, a faithful friend, and a tireless worker. Her life was marked by generosity, humility, and sacrifice. She consistently put the needs of others before her own and demonstrated God’s love through her actions. Leaving behind the comfort and familiarity of Hong Kong, Ellen embraced the unknown in America with courage and determination. Though she faced many challenges—language barriers, financial struggles, and cultural differences—she pressed on with unwavering faith and resilience.

With no formal education in English, she found resources to learn to read and write to better serve her family. Ellen worked a variety of jobs, including waitressing, cooking, nannying, housekeeping, and caregiving. She was a gifted cook and craftswoman, always busy creating and giving. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren, whom she cherished deeply.

After committing her life to Jesus, Ellen became a devoted servant of Christ. Alongside close friends, she ministered to Chinese students at Michigan State University, offering Bible studies, fellowship, home-cooked meals, and holiday gatherings for those far from home. She mentored and supported Chinese immigrants and served the elderly Chinese community several times a week, continuing her ministry until illness made it no longer possible.

Legacy

Ellen is survived by her beloved husband Elden Yip and 4 children: Gordon Yip (Helen), Norita Yip (Mike Palmer), Grover Yip (Angelina), and Naomi Kim (Saeyeol). She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Juna, Jayda, Julia, and Jeena Yip (children of Gordon); Kai-Lee and Mathice Yip-Palmer (children of Norita); Valerie and Elizer Yip (children of Grover); and Kaylee Kim, Savannah Yip-Quan, and Faith Kim (children of Naomi).

Her legacy lives on through her family and the countless lives she touched. Ellen was a blessing to many—her kindness, faith, and love will be remembered and honored for generations. May her memory encourage us all to live with grace, serve others selflessly, and walk in faith.

Thank you, Lord, for the precious time we had with our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. And thank you to all who knew Ellen—your love enriched her life and ours.

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” — Hebrews 12:1–2

We eagerly await the day we are reunited with her in Heaven.

深切緬懷葉李麗嫺女士

1952年3月5日-2025年5月20日

葉李麗嫺女士，73歲，在經歷了與阿茲海默症的勇敢抗爭後，於2025年5月20日在華盛頓州倫頓市的一家養老院安息主懷。她於1952年3月5日出生於中國廣州台山村。

早年生活

李麗嫻出生於一個飽受失去之痛的家庭。儘管家境貧寒，經濟拮据，她還是為父母帶來了新的希望與喜悅。幼年時，她隨家人搬到香港九龍，並在那裡長大。李麗嫻各方面都很優秀。她善於交際，喜歡和人們以及她的朋友在一起。她曾是明星毽球手和中國跳繩選手，在學校也用心學習。然而，由於她接受正規教育的年齡較晚，所以她選擇在年輕時就開始工作。她獲得了服裝廠的資格證書，在服裝廠工作了幾年，並結下了深厚的友誼，直到她身體狀況惡化。

1975年，麗嫻與葉啟威結婚，勇敢地移民美國，白手起家，共同開創新生活，並育有四個孩子：Gordon、Norita、Grover，和Naomi。

個人生活和成就

麗嫻是一位賢妻、慈愛的母親和祖母、一位忠誠的朋友，也是一位非常勤奮的工作者。她的一生充滿了慷慨、謙遜，和犧牲的品格。她總是將他人的需要放在自身之上，並用行動彰顯上帝的愛。麗嫻告別了舒適熟悉的香港，勇敢而堅定地來到美國，擁抱未知的世界。儘管面臨諸多挑戰—語言障礙、經濟困境和文化差異—但她依然憑藉著堅定不移的信念和韌性堅持前進。

雖然沒有接受過正規的英語教育，但她還是努力學習讀寫，以便更好地服侍家人。麗嫻做過各種各樣的工作，包括服務員、廚師、保姆、家政和護理。她擅長烹飪和手工藝，總是忙於創作和奉獻。她最大的樂趣之一就是和她深愛的孫子們共度時光。

麗嫻將生命獻給耶穌後，成為了基督虔誠的僕人。她與親密的朋友一起在密西根州立大學服事中國學生，為遠離家鄉的孩子們提供聖經學習、團契、家常菜和節日聚會。她指導和支持華人移民，每週幾次為老年華人社區服務，一直堅持服侍，直到因病無法繼續。

遺愛世間

麗嫻身後留下了摯愛的丈夫葉啟威及四個子女：Gordon Yip（Helen），Norita Yip（Mike Palmer），Grover Yip （Angelina）和Naomi Kim（Saeyeol）。她也留下了摯愛的孫輩：Juna, Jayda, Julia, 和Jeena Yip（Gordon的子女）；Kai-Lee 和Mathice Yip-Palmer（Norita的子女）；Valerie 和Elizer Yip（Grover的子女）；和Kaylee Kim, Savannah Yip-Quan, 和Faith Kim（Naomi的子女）。

麗嫻的精神將透過她的家人和無數受她影響的生命延續下來。麗嫻是許多人的祝福—她的善良、信實和愛心將被世世代代銘記和敬仰。願對麗嫻的懷念能激勵我們所有人活得充滿恩典，無私地服務他人，並憑著信心前行。

主啊，感謝祢，讓我們與摯愛的妻子、母親、祖母、姊妹和朋友共度了寶貴的時光。也感謝所有認識麗嫻的人—你們的愛豐富了她和我們的生命。

就當…存心忍耐，奔那擺在我們前頭的路程，仰望為我們信心創始成終的耶穌。—希伯來書 12 :1b-2a

我們熱切地期待著在天堂與她重聚的那一天。