Hee Sook Chun

Hee Sook Chun came into this world on November 25th 1929 born from her mother, Eun Soo Lee, in Chun Chon Korea. Hee Sook was a kind and obedient girl who became her father’s favorite child. As Hee Sook grew to school age she was one of only 3 Korean children allowed to attend the Japanese colonized schools in Korea. While at the school she learned and excelled at many sports, in particular volleyball where she wished to play all night. She was so talented that she made it to the Korean national tournaments. After school she decided to become a teacher in Won Ju where Hee Sook found that she had a gift for teaching elementary aged children.

After being introduced by a dear friend to her future husband Han Su Kang, their relationship quickly blossomed. Han Su was a dashing young Captain in the Korean army but because of this they had to move many times due to his transfers. During his many assignments for work Hee Sook would feel ill and swore the only way she could be healed was with the touch of Han Su’s hands. Their honeymoon was not to last long as Hee Sook was blessed, on March 23 1951, with the birth of her first daughter Chung Ja Kang who Hee said was a happy baby. Not long a second daughter was coming to bless the family again, Yun Ja Kang born on September 12th 1952. Hee also gave birth to a son who was taken from the world during his early infancy, may they be together now in heaven. Kyong Ja Kang was born on May 5 1955 and was thought to be born deceased but was just a weak child who took years to gain her strength. Her final child as you might have guessed was another lovely daughter, Mija Kang born on September 5 1957. She now had four beautiful daughters around her.

While raising her children alone, Hee Sook and her daughters had to stick together in order to survive. Realizing her daughters needed to receive an education she became a nurse to help pay for their schooling and uniforms. Times were tough and money was tight after the war but this only brought the five women even closer. As the girls grew, as children are known to do, they began to start their own families and begin their slow migration to America. Hee Sook quickly found work in the family business and was able to live close to most of her daughters. It wasn’t too long till Hee Sook opened her own store front where it has remained for forty years and is still open to this day.

Throughout her life Hee Sook had brilliant experiences with all her family. Her eldest child Chun Ja, who left us too early but walks with her now in heaven, would do anything for her mother and loved her greatly. Chun Ja followed in her mom’s footsteps and had four daughters of her very own. Halmoni enjoyed playing with her granddaughter SuJean whose infectious smile left Halmoni grinning. She had relished the times with Chun Ja’s second child Jayne, during their many bike rides together and campouts at the store. Jayne would also be the first to bless Halmoni with a beautiful great granddaughter Aviva. Just when she thought she couldn’t be happier Sz-min, Chun Ja’s third daughter, and Isaac bestowed upon her the new twin greatgrandchildren, Margaret and Jonah. She frequently said they were some of the world’s most beautiful creations and could grow to be amazing musicians. Yimin was the youngest of the four daughters but Halmoni always liked to remind everyone that Yimin had the biggest heart which matched her kind personality.

Her second daughter Yun Ja always tried to protect Halmoni while making sure that she enjoyed life by experiencing new adventures. One of the many ways Yun Ja had fun with her mom was to take her to Japan and Korea. She had fantastic memories of being quickly pushed in a wheelchair, for fun, through the bumpy, zig-zagged streets of the traditional Korean markets. Seon Jeon, Yun Ja’s first child, officially turned Hee Sook into a Halmoni as he was the first born of all the grandchildren. Halmoni would tell stories of making Seon sujebi, which he loved to eat but could not say, he miscalled them dudoggi and always asked Halmoni to make more of his favorite food. Yun Ja’s second son Se Cheong always brought laughter and levity to Halmoni’s heart.

Her third daughter Kyong Ja, loved Halmoni and always strived to ensure that she was taken care of. The two of them would share private jokes, secretly laughing at the people around. They enjoyed taking road trips where they could have long talks could see the wonders of the country. Kyong Ja never left her mother’s side when she needed a helping hand. Kyong Ja’s had her first child Kimberly, whose first memories as a small child were of introducing Halmoni to all the soldiers at the El Paso Army Base “This is my grandma, her name is Halmoni and she is very nice. She is from Korea so say hello to her.” Kyong’s second child, Matthew, remembers making food, while he was very young, for Halmoni and his mom as they came home from work. Halmoni always smiled and told him “good job” as she ate it; all the while saying it was yummy even when it might not be.

Her youngest daughter Mija had a special bond with her mother. Mija gave birth to her son Yong-Kyoon, a kind, young spirit who would leave this world much too quickly. Mija then gave birth to Yessul who rapidly became the jewel of Halmoni’s eye. She would show everyone Yessul’s pictures while boasting about her beauty. She watched proudly with her daughter as they moved Yessul to her new dorm at OSU. Mija, Yessul, Kyong Ja, and Kim went on a trip and enjoyed watching Halmoni with wide eyes as she gazed upon the mountainous towers of Zion’s National Park.

Hee Sook Chun played many rolls in her life whether it be Omah, Halmoni or Jungjohalmoni to all of us. Thank you Halmoni for believing in all of us while generously giving away all your love and care. Thank you for teaching us how to garden, knit, cook, run a business, and above all stay strong. We all can remember her knowing eyes, sweet smiles and kind words. Omah, Halmoni, Jungjohalmoni we will carry you always, not just in our memories but in the very blood that runs through our hearts.