Yoo Soon Lee

Yoo-Soon Lee a long time resident of Metairie, LA passed away peacefully on Friday, February 16, 2024 at her eldest son’s home in Charles Town, WV at the age of 90. She was born in Seoul, S. Korea on January 3rd, 1934 to Hee-Il Lee (father) and Byoung-Sook Yoon (mother). All her formal education was completed in South Korea from elementary during the Japanese colonization and after the Korean War, her secondary education and university level. She attended Sook-Myung Women’s University and majored in Music-piano performance (Concert Pianist).

Yoo-Soon is preceded in death by Dr. and Rev. Chang Kyu Lee, her husband of 47 years, Yoo-En Lee (eldest sister) and Yoo-Yong Lee (Younger brother). Yoo-Soon is survived by Yoo-Hee Lee (younger sister) and by two younger brothers, Yoo-In Lee and Yoo-Il Lee, her two sons, the eldest- Winston Lee (Suyapa Rosalez-Lee) and Harold Lee, and her three grandchildren, Joseph Lee, Venecia Lee, and Elizabeth Lee ( by birth order). Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Yoo-Soon was a member of the Korean United Methodist Church of New Orleans, Sook-Myung Women’s University Alumni Association, Louisiana Music Teacher Association (LMTA), National Federation of Music Clubs, Louisiana Federation of Music Clubs, church choir, church pianist, and was the founder of her church’s hand bell choir.

On her good days, she would express with a great smile and laughter about excerpts of her life as she flipped the pages of her photo album. She would share moments that impacted her and made her the resilient person necessary to strive and persevere despite challenges faced.

During her middle school and high school years, she enjoyed playing basketball, acting in theatre class, fishing and ballet—her great passion. On school field trips, she looked forward meeting-up with her classmates during picnic lunch. She was considering becoming a professional ballet dancer but her mother highly discouraged the idea. At the time, Korea was recovering the ravages of war and was in need of teachers and professors in selected fields. She concede to her mother’s demands, but prudently resisted, letting go her dream and sacrificing her desires for the betterment of her country and securing a much needed stability and future for herself. Unknowingly, this decision led her to great success socially and professionally.

Her career began as a high school teacher in Seoul, S. Korea and rose to the ranks as professor at Mok-Won University in Daejeon, S. Korea. She was popular and on demand due to the many accolades and awards her students received. At this point, she knew there was no turning back and that this would be her future!

In 1981, she made a daunting decision to move to Scranton, PA with her two sons, not knowing English nor familiar to American culture. Once again, she decided over the need to aid her husband for the ministry of the church and served as a minister’s wife. She carried fond memories from there, learning American ways, the English language, and baking skills. She learned how to make the most delicious pineapple upside down cake and a coconut icing through her new American friends and members of the church. She continued playing piano for the church and eventually started teaching again.

On February 1985, she did a final move to Metairie, LA. Her husband was assigned as the pastor of the Korean United Methodist Church of New Orleans. She continued playing piano, established a choir, and founded a handbell choir group at her church. In Metairie, LA, she succeeded with a large clientele of students of all ages, little ones to adults, who were seeking out her tutelage in piano basics, music theory, performance, and coaching for an upcoming competition or audition. Many of her students participated in piano competitions and most would win first and second placements. Other students needed coaching for admission purposes to universities or high schools that required auditions or an add-on to their portfolio.

Yoo-Soon was a devoted wife and mother. She was highly dedicated to the church as a minister’s wife. She lived the life of others by prioritizing the needs of her church and family over her own. Her piano was her solace where she found comfort and security when times were tough. Music and her piano allowed her to persevere through crisis. She enjoyed the company of her grandchildren, and she made sure that every one of them were taught something about music appreciation and piano performance.

Yoo Soon, you are missed! It’s time to send you off with such great musical note…to be remembered always…no need to worry further…may you rest in peace! Thank you for sharing on those long nights, and when you were able, the memories of your life. Thank you for entrusting me your final wishes!

The family would like to give special thanks to,Hospice of the Panhandle in West Virginia and their outstanding staff, Jefferson County Council on Aging in West Virginia, Rosedale Funeral Home, Martinsburg, WV, Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, New Orleans, LA and **Most of all to The Korean United Methodist Church.

An evening visitation will be held Friday, March 1, 2024, 5-8PM. A private family-only hour, 4-5PM. and a reception will follow at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124. A Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 3PM in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home. An Private Graveside for the immediate family will occur on Monday, March 4, 2024.

Clergy: Rev Lee and Rev Kim (Korean United Methodist Church of New Orleans)

The family request the option and/or in lieu of flowers a donation to, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Yoo-Soon’s favorite charity), Hospice of the Pan Handle West Virginia (A non-profit organization providing care for any eligible person-no one is turned away)