Mimie Laimay Li

Mimie built a life defined by adventure, ambition, and an unwavering sense of humor. She will be remembered for her determination, razor-sharp intelligence, and the warmth she brought into the lives of those around her. She was born on November 18th, 1955, in Hong Kong, the daughter of Li Chan Wun Yin and Li Chung. From an early age, Mimie dreamt boldly and sought to make the most of every minute she was given on this earth.

After graduating from Diocesan Girls' School in Hong Kong, Mimie immigrated to the United States on her own at the age of 18. She possessed a remarkable drive to create a full and extraordinary life on her own terms. She completed a B.S. and an M.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, one of the first women to complete each of these programs. Mimie then embarked on a fruitful career on Wall Street, rising to leadership roles at financial institutions including Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, and PaineWebber. But for Mimie, a natural entrepreneur, that was only the beginning. She had always dreamt of “being her own boss.” When she was in her 50s, she left Wall Street to start her own business, which soon grew into a major real estate investment practice. Mimie thrived as an entrepreneur and investor, and grew her businesses throughout her life. Those who worked with her will recall her tenacity, intelligence, and kind heart, and how she could light up a room talking about her next business idea or real estate development.

Mimie was known by those around her for her fiery personality, sharp wit, delightfully unfiltered observations, and - most notably - her mischievous sense of humor. Even in the throes of illness late in her life, Mimie was laughing, smiling, and cracking jokes every single day. She had a quick wit, a contagious laugh, and remarkable optimism in any circumstance. She believed that life was, as she liked to say, "a series of temporary inconveniences," and she approached even its hardest moments with resilience, positivity, and grace. She was an active philanthropist and volunteer, building homes for Habitat for Humanity and collecting donations for food pantries. Mimie saw the best in people, and motivated those around her to be the best version of themselves. She also knew how to be comforting and kind to those who just needed a hand in life.

Her proudest accomplishment was becoming a mother to her children, Justine and Joshua. She was devoted and loving, always finding time to create meaningful memories with her family, whom she held as the center of her universe. No matter how demanding life became, she never missed a milestone. Her love for her children was evident every day, whether through buying a simple gift, passing on a life lesson, or reciting daily affirmations with them. Above all, they always knew they were deeply loved. Being a mother was her greatest joy and she was unceasingly devoted to her children, whom she cherished dearly and who cherished her even more.

Mimie was extremely adventurous, traveling to dozens of countries throughout her life. She loved trying local foods, learning about the history of places she visited, and enjoying all kinds of beautiful views. She was an avid scuba diver, swimmer, and lover of nature, who likely accumulated more airline miles than anyone reading this. She was a lifelong learner, and those who knew her will recall her taking piano lessons, learning to build homes, and even attending flight school. She loved laughing and watching action movies and comedies like Men in Black, Get Smart, and The Pink Panther on repeat. Her home was filled with music, usually favorites by Michael Jackson or Elvis, and all kinds of soft jazz. Mimie enjoyed sharing a meal with friends and family, and could often be found at one of her favorite restaurants in Austin or New Jersey enjoying oysters, dim sum, or a ribeye steak.

She is survived by her two children, Joshua Potemkin and Justine Potemkin; her husband, Jan Potemkin; and her siblings Dennis Li, Ivy Luk, Helen Li Cohen, Liza Li, and Steven Li. She is preceded in death by her sister Nancy Luk, and parents Li Chung and Li "Lee" Chan Wun Yin, whom she loved dearly.