Helen Yee Ong

She was born near Chuck Hom and Canton, China. At age 11, Helen and her mother, Fay Gin, joined her father, Raymond Yee, to live in Mesa, Arizona. It was her first airplane trip from Hong Kong through Hawaii then to San Francisco. Her father met them in the Bay area to bring them to their new home in Arizona. She thrived in America where she learned English and worked hard to graduate from Mesa High School.

Family was most important to Helen. After retiring, she took care of her grandchildren. Her other love was sports, where she could often be found at Diamondback games with her sister Anna. She rooted for all of the hometown teams.

Helen was a long time member of the First Chinese Baptist Church, where she helped in the preschool and nursery departments. She was also active in the community as a member of the Desert Jade Club.

Helen, preceded in death by her husband Raymond Ong, is survived by their four children - Darren (Yen), Karen Luevano (Lawrence), Sharon Yee (Ken) and Marleen Kim (Michael). They have six grandchildren - Joshua, Jacob, and Konner Ong; Alexander and Rachel Yee; and Matthew Kim. She was loved by her siblings Eddie Yee (Kimmie), Henry Yee (Laura), Judy Chu Lin (Sam-deceased), Wanda Yee Elam, Anna Yee and many nephews and nieces - Nicki Weinberg (Brent); Jodi Marleen Yee (deceased); Mark and Christopher Chu Lin; and Robyn Elam.

Visitation will take place from 5:00- 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2013 at A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Bethany Chapel, 710 W. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ.

A memorial service in her honor will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at First Chinese Baptist Church, 4910 E. Earll Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85018.

Contributions may be made to First Chinese Baptist Church.