Alice Ching Ye Yun Hayashi, age 96, passed away on October 31, 2022 at her home in Loveland, Colorado after a series of illnesses. Alice was born on June 23, 1926 in Puunene on the island of Maui in what was then the Territory of Hawaii, to Chan-Mun and Kyung-Chu (Nam) Yun. Her husband, Yuzo Hayashi, preceded her in death as well as her siblings, Mary, Hai Joo, Helen, Louise, Anna, and Thomas. She is survived by her two children, Dr. Brad (Toni) Hayashi of Tucson, Arizona, and Karen (Darrell) Roth of Windsor, Colorado; by six grandchildren: Michelle (Sebastian) Nava of Seattle, Washington, Mitch (Ashley) Hayashi of Mesa, Arizona, Derek (Lorraine) Hayashi of Provo, Utah, Ruth (EJ) Hayashi of Tucson, Arizona, Samuel and Benjamin Roth of Windsor, Colorado; and four great-granddaughters: Piper, Haruko, Margo, and Felix. Alice and Yuzo were lovingly cared for by their daughter Karen for many years.
Alice possessed a determined mind and will. She quit high school because she “didn’t like it.” But a few years later, went back to high school and graduated. This Pacific island girl then decided to cross an ocean and a continent to go to a Seventh Day Adventist college in Tennessee where she received her degree as a Registered Nurse. For many years, Alice worked at the Sierra Vista Nursing Home in Loveland, tending to the elderly, before her retirement.
She was known for her great Asian cooking and her family and friends will miss her egg rolls, fried rice, mandu, sushi, kun go gee, kimchi, tempura, cabbage burgers, dill pickles, and yes—her smothered burritos. She loved to entertain us, or rather, we loved to be entertained by her spirited renditions of “You Are My Sunshine” on the ukulele and “Polly Wolly Doodle All The Day,” on the piano. She was beloved for her humor and ability to tease. A fond memory will be her literally being brought to tears from laughing so hard at her own and others’ antics. Mostly her own. She loved to have fun. And she really could cut it up with her sister, Lou, both infamous for their team antics and laughter. The Denver Broncos didn’t have a more ardent and faithful fan than Alice.
Alice renewed her love for the Lord, Jesus Christ. She studied the Bible and had treasured verses at her bedside. She enjoyed singing and she would sing beloved hymns. She now rests in His Presence along with her husband, Yuzo, her siblings, and her two Samoyed dogs, Shammah and Kelsie.
