Li "Joanna" Yang

“Joanna” Yang Li (杨丽) was born on May 23, 1975, in Shanxi, China, to her mother, Guo Meiping (郭美萍), and her father, Yang Bin (杨斌). She was the youngest daughter with three older brothers: Yang Jianxin (杨建新), Yang Jianzhong (杨建忠), and Yang Jianguo (杨建国). She grew up surrounded by the love and support of her family.

Joanna always had a deep love of learning. From an early age, she eagerly studied calligraphy and accounting. Even during heavy snow, she would walk for hours to attend classes. As a young girl, she also dreamed of learning piano and dance, but those opportunities were not available to her. Rather than diminishing her curiosity, those setbacks only deepened her appreciation for every chance to learn.

After graduation, she began her career at a typewriting company, where her exceptional work ethic quickly distinguished her as the top employee. Her talents led her to Shanghai, where she worked as an accountant for a real estate company.

Joanna never viewed her career as the end of her education. She believed that learning was a lifelong journey and that every new challenge was an opportunity to grow. This mindset led her to Singapore, where she embraced the challenge of learning English while pursuing graduate studies. There, she earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Management and Technology.

Back in Shanghai, Joanna met the love of her life, Peng Wenge (彭文革). They were married in 2003, and together they welcomed their daughter, “Christina” Peng Jiaxuan (彭家轩), in 2004.

Becoming a wife and mother brought Joanna the greatest joy. She thoughtfully chose the character 家 (jiā, meaning "home") for her daughter's name to express her wish that wherever they were together, there would be home. She was an excellent mother who led by example. She made sure her daughter had the opportunities she herself did not, enrolling Christina in piano lessons, encouraging her to pursue public speaking, and supporting every new interest along the way. Joanna never missed her daughter’s recitals or competitions, and she was always the first to celebrate her daughter's achievements.

In 2017, Joanna and her daughter moved to the United States to begin a new chapter. True to her lifelong love of learning, Joanna took courses at Irvine Valley College despite English being her second language. She earned certifications in notary services, insurance, and real estate. She also fulfilled her dream of learning to play the piano, with Beethoven's Für Elise being her favorite piece.

It was also in the United States that Joanna came to know God and became a Christian. She found a loving spiritual home in the church, where she was surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ who walked alongside her in faith. Her relationship with God became a source of strength, joy, and peace, and she treasured the fellowship of her church family.

In March 2025, Joanna received the heartbreaking diagnosis of leukemia. She faced the cancer with extraordinary courage, enduring months of treatment and undergoing a bone marrow transplant in August 2025. Throughout her journey, she remained resilient and hopeful, drawing strength from God, her family, and her friends. Despite everything, Joanna never lost sight of others. She quietly donated to fellow leukemia patients in online support communities who were struggling to afford their medical care, offering encouragement to those facing the same difficult journey. On July 18, 2026, Joanna passed away peacefully in the hospital.

Joanna will be remembered for her intelligence, strength, and kindness. She inspired everyone around her through her lifelong pursuit of learning and the selfless love she shared with family, friends, and strangers alike. Above all, she was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, sister, and friend who left a lasting impact on all who knew her.

May she rest in peace.