On Wednesday, January 13, 2021, Corrine Yip, age 94, passed away peacefully at her assisted living facility. Her daughter Stephanie, son-in-law Jay, and granddaughter Kelly were able to be with her in her final moments.
Corrine was born March 5, 1926, in Alameda, CA, the sixth child of Halmer and Suey King Wong. Their busy home in Alameda was often filled with aunts, uncles, cousins, and other members of the close-knit family.
During World War II after her high school graduation, Corrine enrolled in nursing school. However, she was unable to complete her studies due to a long illness. After her recovery she instead began working at a bank in San Francisco with her cousin Millie. After a while Millie left to begin her married life in Los Angeles. Then Corrine met Jack Yip, her future husband.
Shortly after being discharged from the Army following World War II, Jack and Corrine married in Los Angeles in 1947. Jack had relocated from Oakland to Los Angeles for an engineering position. They settled into a house in the Crenshaw neighborhood where they raised their two daughters, Jacqueline and Stephanie. Close family members lived nearby, and neighbors became friends. Corrine was an active participant in her daughters’ schools, helping organize fundraisers and Halloween carnivals and eventually becoming a PTA president. Like her father, she was a talented cook and baker. Her delicious pies and cakes were in great demand.
After many years as a stay-at-home mom, Corrine began working as a secretary at an insurance agency in L.A.’s Chinatown. She continued to work there until Stephanie’s daughter Alison was born in 1981. She quit her position to care for Alison when Stephanie returned to work.
After their two daughters and their families moved away from the L.A. area, Jack and Corrine enjoyed traveling to Alaska, Canada and various national parks. They also enjoyed Sunday dinners and card games with siblings and their families. Corrine’s large extended family organized annual family reunions which took place in Fresno. These reunions also allowed for visits with Stephanie’s family, including beloved granddaughters Alison and Kelly.
Jack and Corrine cared for daughter Jackie as her health declined following a cancer diagnosis. Sadly, they lost her too soon in 2001. A few years after her passing, Jack and Corrine accompanied her siblings’ relocation to Leisure World, a retirement community in Seal Beach. The family dinners and much-enjoyed card games continued. Then Corrine had to become the stronger partner caring for Jack as his health declined. His 2006 passing signaled yet another move for Corrine, this time to begin living with Stephanie’s family in Fresno. Here Corrine became an active member of First Chinese Baptist Church, where she enjoyed many friendships as well as spiritual guidance. Brother Elmer and his wife Sungai moved to nearby Madera to live with daughter Cathy and her family.
After the gradual onset of dementia, Corrine became a resident of Somerford, an assisted living facility. Here she received the attention and care she required from the skilled and dedicated staff. She amazed and delighted fellow residents and staff when, after decades away from a piano, she sat at the piano in the activity room and began playing “Moonlight Sonata.” It was remarkable.
Corrine made friends everywhere with her always-pleasant, sunny nature and warmth. She had a wonderful and sometimes-mischievous sense of humor and a ready smile for everyone. Corrine will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jack and daughter Jacqueline. Corrine is survived by daughter Stephanie and her husband Jay Louie; granddaughter Alison, her husband Brendan Duede, and their daughter Emilia; and granddaughter Kelly and her husband Grant Bedrosian.
A private graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Chinese Baptist Church, 6080 N. Angus, Fresno, CA 93710.
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