Young Ja Yu

Mom was born in Pyongyang, Korea, on December 27, 1944. She attended Ewha University in Seoul where her love of music blossomed through majoring in music and her devotion to serving God grew as an active member of campus ministry. After marrying our father, Sang John, they moved in 1970 to the United States to build a loving home and a vibrant Christian family.

A devoted mother and faithful servant of Christ, she nurtured her four children—Paul, Tim (Lucia), Steve (Yara), and Susan—her five grandchildren—Noah, Ryan, Tommy, Matthew, and Olivia—her brother—Byung Joo Lee— and sister Young Sil Jin—with steadfast love and prayer. Her gentle spirit, generosity, and unwavering faith touched everyone she met.

Mom’s faith was the foundation of everything she did. She was a devout Christian, and her love for God guided her every step. For many years, she shared her gift of music as the pianist at her home church in Saginaw, Michigan where her playing became her prayer, offering peace and comfort to everyone she knew. After moving to Ann Arbor, she continued her deep faith and selfless love for others as an elder at the Korean Bible Church of Ann Arbor often opening her home and hospitality for God’s work.

Though we grieve her absence, we rejoice knowing she is now at peace in the presence of her Savior, reunited with our dad and other loved ones in eternal life. Her legacy of faith, music, and love will continue to guide and inspire us. We will cherish her memory forever, and her love will continue to guide us through the rest of our lives.

A funeral visitation for Young will be held Monday, September 15, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Korean Bible Church - Ann Arbor, 4220 Packard St, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM.