Verna Hong Fee Young, beloved sister, aunty, neighbor and friend, passed away unexpectedly on April 24, 2021. Throughout her life, Verna was dedicated to her family, her faith, and her love of learning. Born at home in Honolulu on June 12, 1939, Verna was the youngest daughter of six children. Her parents Siu Kau Young and Yim King Wong Young were immigrants from Chung Shan Province, China. She completed her undergraduate degree at Chaminade University and received a Masters in Library Science from the University of California, Berkeley and a Masters in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawaii. Verna enjoyed a long career as a librarian at the University of Hawaii and, after retirement, continued to volunteer in the government documents section of the library. Verna was a faithful parishioner and supporter of the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu.
Verna was gracious, gentle-mannered, charitable, and curious. Her eyes would crinkle at the edges when she broke into a broad smile. While outwardly calling them humbug, she had a soft spot for rescued animals and a genuine attachment to her cat, Ms. Kitty.
While she was a homebody who loved to talk story in the back yard with long-time friend Nana, she also enjoyed her trips to Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. Some of her cherished travel memories included seeing wildlife in Africa and in Yellowstone National Park and winning trivia contests on cruises with her sister. Verna made several visits to her parents’ ancestral villages in China which helped her document and preserve the family genealogy that she traced back eight generations.
Verna was an unmistakable "island aunty" wearing a muumuu for every occasion. A student of Hawaiian language and culture, she enjoyed listening to Hawaiian music and watching the Merrie Monarch Festival on TV every year. She was a lover of plate lunch and had a sweet tooth for the apple fritters from Kam Bakery. She was a strategic canned food shopper at Longs and Times Market and donated much of it to the church.
Verna will be particularly missed by her many nieces and nephews who shared significant life milestones with her, relied on her for “Ahpo translations," and were recipients of many red envelopes. She would often entertain her young nieces and nephews by visiting the neighbor’s many animals and giving tours of the legendary basement to see the happy frog, the toy tiger, and family relics.
Verna is predeceased by her parents, brother Dr. James Young, and sister Loretta Young. Her siblings Richard Young, Patsy Choy, and Vera Kina will remember Verna’s dedication to the care of their mother and sister Loretta and the family home of 84 years.
Her family will gather at a memorial mass to celebrate Verna’s life on July 24 at 9:30 am at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. To honor Verna’s memory, donations can be made to St. Theresa or to a charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BorthwickOahu.com for the Young family.
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