Nancy Lim

Nancy Lim was born as Lee Yen Hai on March 6th, 1929, in the city of Shan Wei, located in the Provence of Guandong, China. She married John Get Wong Lim in 1947 and gave birth to her first child, Pearl, in 1948. She had seven subsequent children: Darrell, Jadene, Jeannie, Shirley, Florence, Edgar, and Joyce. In their early years of marriage, Nancy supported her husband's business endeavors following their immigration to the United States. They worked in occupations such as farming, grocery retail, cannery, and most recently, a shoe repair. She retired at the age of 65, after which she found the time to do the things she enjoyed most, such as traveling, attending Chinese operas, watching American, Korean, and Chinese movies, fishing, cooking, gambling, and enjoying time with her family. She has fond memories of her children during their early years. Watching them grow and learn, live and love. Her life was dedicated entirely to her family, and she found great satisfaction in seeing them develop into the successful adults they are now. Mom loved her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. 15 grandchildren, Chris, Chaun, Ashley, Josh, Blake, Janelle, Justin, Kylee, Joel, Sonni, Daryl, Jonathan, Lydia, Nathan and Mason. She has 8 great grandchildren. Christian, Cameron, Reed, Reis, Valentino, Antonio, Jette, and Kendrick and one along the way.

When the family lived on Riverside Blvd, our parents had the fortunate situation to live next door to the Garrett's. They knew English. Her children would not have been enrolled in school had the Garrett's not registered them in kindergarten. Jeannie's name is not Jeannie, it is not Jane, it is Sou. Hmmm,

She cared for seven of her children when Dad was hospitalized for three years... Separated for three years. She refused offers of adoption during this period and refused offers on her home. She didn't trust people knocking on the door and she didn't speak English. She made fantastic fried bologna and powdered mashed potatoes when we were on welfare. She was able to make the best catfish head stew (she got the heads from the neighbors). She was super mom!!!

When dad came home from the hospital, he rehabbed for several years then the youngest, Joyce was born..seven years after Edgar!! We use to tease Joyce and told her Pearl was her mother. And we laughed at our mom saying we were all made in one bed... oops, Pearl was made in China.

Mom loved fishing. Her only issue was she was deathly afraid of baiting her hook with those creepy night crawlers. Verona Slough.. We were catching 3+ pounders. Darrell would say, "let's go fishing!" He couldn't go without taking mom. SHE would be right there. She would patiently sit on the bank, with hook baited, line cast with the bobber on. "I got one,,,," the thrill she had when she caught a fish. Alas, Darrell would have to re-bait her hook. Now, let's talk about those worms... OMG... she would be feeding the chickens..Darrell would dig a worm up, he would stand behind her and tap her on the back... She would turn around.. scream and run away in lightening speed... yelling Chinese obsenities at her son!

Mom learned how to cook when she married Dad and came to America. Her new husband taught her how. She became a wonderful cook! When she made her fried chicken (a very special recipe), it was her way to get all of her children home for dinner, plus a few friends here and there. Her steamed baos were the best. Her children can't eat a steamed pork bao to this day if it wasn't Mom's. Our sister, Shirley, was an exceptional Chinese cook and would share recipes with our mom. Jadene was known as the non-cook.. lol.

MAH JONG??? If you said that at her home, her eyes would light up and she would say, "Let's play!" She loved to play. . ALL night long in the early days during Chinese New Years celebration at the Lim Association. Dad would not be happy. She taught her grandchildren how to play. Justin had his jar of Mah Jong money at grandma's house with his name written on the jar, ready to play . Mom also spent time in the casinos, when Pearl, Edgar or Darrell would take her, pulling the "one armed bandit".

In her later years, after dad retired they were fortunate to have the opportunity to travel with her children. Pearl took them on many trips around the world. China, Europe, Spain, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and many more. And on many trips, Florence and Melvin would join them or they would take her on trips with them. Of course, Darrell and Edgar would take her on their fishing excursions. Last year on a trip to Kona, Hawaii, with Pearl, Florence, Melvin, Darrell and Sally, she loved it so much she bought a condominium. She wanted to leave a Destination vacation home for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to enjoy. It will be Grandma and Grandpa's family legacy.

We want to thank all the children for the love and caring of our mother. Florence and Joyce for listening and understanding Mom's stories. And, thank you Edgar for being a solid foundation for Mom and giving her laughter.