Sun Yung Lee

Sun Yung Lee (Nee Eng), 90, passed away on Sunday, June 5th at her home surrounded by family in Arlington, Virginia. Named "Sun Yung," which in Chinese means "new blossom," she was eldest child of Eng See Shun and Eng Lai Wan.

Born on December 4, 1931 in the village of Toishan, Kwangtung Province, China, less than 90 miles west of Hong Kong. She dedicated her life to her family to create a better life. Married at age 17, she kept the fire lit back home while Yu Toon, her husband, worked and sent money back from America. She demonstrated heroism, escaping Communist occupation on mainland China, hiding with a three-year-old daughter, in a small fishing boat to Hong Kong, and a few years later, emigrated to America.

America was a land of opportunity. She was the true American story: come to America with nothing but the clothes on your back, and with hard work (and some luck), become an owner of various businesses through her life. Despite her business prowess, she only had a few years of formal schooling, but she valued education, and inspired all four of her children to graduate from university.

Family was most important, and she loved having family gatherings. She not only raised four children, but helped raise seven grandchildren, and loved to play with four great-grandchildren.

Sun Yung was predeceased by her father and mother, husband Yu Toon, and brother Joe. She is survived by: Lai Jean (Don), Wee Leung (Elizabeth), Fai Jean (Len), and Soo Jean Lee. Surviving grandchildren are: Andrea (Richard) Scibeck, Stuart (Kirsten) Williams, Michael Lee, Katherine (Angus) Shay, David Lee, Erin Blakley, and Collin Blakley. Surviving great-grandchildren are: Nora and Iris Williams, & Aria and Melina Shay.

A funeral service for Sun will be held Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Murphy Funeral Homes, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 11th from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Washington National Cemetery, 4101 Suitland Road, Hillcrest Heights, MD 20746.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.murphy-funeralhomes.com for the Lee family.