Sophie Lee Woo

Sophie Lee Woo, 89, passed quietly at her residence on August 29th. She was born in San Francisco, CA on March 3, 1929. The first decade of her life was spent with the Donaldina Cameron House, a mission community for Chinese girls.

In 1938 she was taken in by Prof. Shao Chang Lee and his wife, Nora Wong Lee, as he accepted a position on the faculty at the University of Hawaii. She was there in Honolulu in 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

Her high school years found her in the Midwest at East Lansing High School as her father joined Michigan State University (MSU) as Professor of Foreign Studies.

She enrolled at MSU for her freshman year, but she completed her studies at the University of Michigan (U of M). She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Nursing in 1951. Her college activities included being a member of the Chinese Students Club, the Hawaii Club, and as well as Student Board Secretary. While in Ann Arbor at the U of M, she met her husband, Robert Woo.

Following graduation, she worked for University of Michigan Medical Center as a registered nurse in the Department of OB/GYN in Labor and Delivery.

Sophie became a full-time homemaker with the birth of her two children. She was a deeply committed wife to her husband in his career as an engineer and corporate executive for Ford Motor Company. The two of them were passionate U of M football and basketball fans. She was highly devoted to the health, educational and spiritual development of her children. As part of this focus, her interests and skills in baking, sewing and knitting blossomed. In addition, with her devotion to family, she valued the relationship between her parents and her children, and ensured frequent trips to visit.

Sophie enjoyed her friendships with neighbors wherever she lived. She cherished long-time connections with nursing school classmates. The social and cultural bonds created through the Alpha Lambda Fraternity at U of M with her husband generated deep friendships that lasted decades and over generations. She also became the consummate volunteer in programs for preschoolers, Girl Scout leadership, and hospital and church food pantry endeavors.

Proceeding her in death were her parents and her husband, Bob. She is survived by her daughter, Janice Woo of New York, NY, and her son, Dr. Thomas Woo of Indianapolis, IN.

Sophie and her children have appreciated the support and caring of the staffs at Rosegate/American Senior Communities and Right-at-Home for both she and her husband over the past decade. Visitation will begin at Noon on Wednesday, September 5th at North United Methodist Church – 3808 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN. Service will follow at 3:00 pm. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or Donaldina Cameron House.