Kwee Kee Yap

Kwee Kee is survived by her husband Mr. Kwee Yam (Colin) Yap, children Lina (David) Kong, Clement (Christine) Yap, and Norman (Jasmine) Yap, grandchildren Tobias, Riley, Elie Kong; Christopher, Caden, Carter, Caitlyn, Cianna Yap; Noah, Dylan, Christian Yap; and 9 siblings in Singapore. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces/nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father Mr. Ching Cheong Neo, her mother Mrs. Yew Toh Neo, and one younger brother.

Kwee Kee was born and raised in a large family of 11 children in Singapore. She was well-loved and respected by everyone for her love and sacrifices for her family. Growing up in the post-war era, resources were scarce for someone living on a farm in the countryside. Kwee Kee had to work very hard as a child. There were times she had to walk long distances to help her mother get water from the well, collect firewood, dredge water hyacinth from the pond to feed the animals, and take care of her younger siblings. She was such a natural caretaker and babysitter that her parents asked her to leave school in the 5th grade to stay at home and take care of the younger ones. In future years, she would continue to be the caretaker for nieces and nephews on both her and her husband’s sides of the family.

She learned to cook and sew at a young age and went on to work as a seamstress prior to marrying Kwee Yam (Colin) Yap in 1971. Kwee Kee’s and Colin’s fathers were friends and business partners at one point. A matchmaker approached the parents and suggested that Kwee Kee and Colin would make a nice couple. Kwee Kee and Colin went on a few dates and were married shortly after. They were blessed with three children – Lina, Clement, and Norman. She was loved by her in-laws, and her children – all who were so appreciative of the love and care that she provided to them. Kwee Kee was the disciplinarian, nurturer and backbone of the family.

In 1986, Kwee Kee and her children moved to Phoenix, Arizona to join Colin, who had immigrated to the United States the year before. Kwee Kee worked very hard to build a life for her family. She worked multiple jobs to help make ends meet. She found many creative ways to make Ramen long before it became fashionable. She was always making sacrifices for everyone, always the last to eat and the last to sleep. In fact, she was lacking so much in sleep and nutrients, that her hair was almost all white by the time she was 35 years old.

After moving to Phoenix, Kwee Kee started attending First Chinese Baptist Church. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior in 1987 and has served God faithfully in whatever ways she could. She was well known for her excellent cooking and gentle smile to the people she was surrounded by. People raved about her pork satay with peanut sauce, meatballs, egg rolls, pandan cake, dumplings, laksa, curry chicken, braised duck, and pork jerky. Most of these require long hours or days of preparation.

Interesting facts about Kwee Kee – she was an avid Phoenix Suns fan, liked to read cookbooks and watch cooking shows. She would often watch PBS Kids shows to learn English and play Tetris on the Nintendo when the kids that she was babysitting were taking naps.

Kwee Kee took the most pride in her children and grandchildren. If you ask her what she desired most, she will say “To see everyone in the family healthy, well-fed, and happy.” She was an excellent wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She is deeply missed by all. Kwee Kee spent her whole life taking care of other people – now she is with Jesus, perfectly cared for by Him.