Yimin "Sally" Yan

October 27, 1959 – October 15, 2025

Yimin “Sally” Yan, 65, of Lynnwood, Washington, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2025, after a courageous battle with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

Born on October 27, 1959, to Mao Huiping and Yan Yuan, Sally grew up with a deep sense of strength, warmth, and grace that would define her life and the way she cared for others.

Sally dedicated her life to teaching—a calling that reflected her heart and her desire to nurture others. She loved her students as if they were her own children, pouring time, dedication, and genuine care into every lesson. Her passion left a mark not only in the classroom but in the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Outside of teaching, Sally lived with beauty and intention. She had an eye for fashion and carried herself with effortless elegance—always polished, always radiant. She loved to travel and had a spirit of curiosity that led her to explore new places and experiences with joy. At home, she found peace in gardening and had a remarkable gift for creating warmth wherever she went. Even in the smallest apartment, she could make it feel like home—a reflection of her creativity and her love of family.

Sally had a quiet but unshakable strength. She was determined, resilient, and knew how to make things just the way she wanted them. Yet she also had a soft heart—especially for animals. Though she tried to be firm, her love for creatures big and small always won out. Her children fondly remember how she welcomed every stray they brought home, unable to resist their pleading faces or wagging tails.

She is survived by her loving husband, David Dahong Li; her daughter, Erica Li; her son, Victor Li; and her mother, Mao Huiping. She was preceded in death by her father, Yuan Yan.

Sally’s love and spirit will continue to live on in the lives she touched—with every garden that blooms, every student inspired, and every home filled with warmth and laughter.