Betsy M. Yee

Betsy Mae Quan Toy was born August 12, 1934, the tenth child of eleven children to Dea Hong and Lee Chee Toy. Her parents instilled in her the importance of family and she cherished family dearly to the end. A Phoenix native, Betsy attended Madison No. 1 School, graduated from North High School, and received her Bachelor of Arts in education at Arizona State University and a Master of Arts in psychology from Columbia University. Her early career teaching students at military bases abroad sparked her love of travel, taking her around the world.

She married Howard Yee, also a Phoenix native, in Laon, France and again two days later in Paris in 1961. Betsy and Howard settled in Palos Verdes Peninsula, California and had five children before eventually moving back to Phoenix in 1979. Betsy enjoyed a long career in education as a high school counselor in California as well as at The Phoenix Indian High School. Ever an entrepreneur, she and her husband opened Ye Olde Pharmacy and later Ye Olde Trader. In retirement, she became the owner of The Blue Fin restaurant, making it into a beloved downtown fixture.

Betsy was a member of North Phoenix Baptist Church where she also served as a Bible study teacher. She was appointed to the Phoenix Arts Commission and a longtime patron of Gammage Broadway.

She was known for her joy, outgoing personality, and infectious laughter as much as she was known for being driven, determined, and a force of nature. While life’s obstacles might stop some, Betsy was undeterred. People were drawn to her care and concern, but Betsy’s true gift was the gift of hospitality.

Betsy was called to meet the Lord on October 18th. She is survived by her children Elizabeth Yee, LeAnn Yee, Daryl Yee, Lynette Yee, and Lyris (Vaughn) Patterson and her grandchildren Mark Yee, Liam Yee, Isabella Vidach, Lauren Patterson, Olivia Vidach, Lane Patterson, and Tripp Patterson and her sister Shirley Tung. She is now reunited in heaven with Howard, her loving husband of 61 years, and her siblings Sue Lee, Jeanette Ngan, Lt Col William Toy, Grey Toy, Kathryn Dare, Violet Toy, Henry Toy, Nancy Yuke and Louis Toy.