Soung Hee Lee

Soung Hee Lee passed away on October 22, 2024, at Long Beach Memorial Hospital in California, at the age of 68. She had been privately and courageously battling a rare cancer for the past three years, and had been working with specialists in Long Beach, when she suffered unexpected complications following a biopsy procedure. Family that were able to be by her side at the time of passing were Suk In, Melissa, David, Dwight, Asuka, Elton, and Suk Bo Lee.

Soung Hee was born on February 6, 1956, in Seoul, Korea, to Kook Bum Kim and Ye Soo Kim. She graduated from Seoul Young Sang High School (서울여상 고등학교) and earned her Bachelors degree from Dangook University (단국대학교). In October 1979, she met the love of her life, Suk In Lee, in Seoul through family friends and got married on March 15, 1980, in Seattle, Washington, where they embarked on their 44-year life’s journey together.

Soung Hee had a daughter in 1981 and a son in 1983. The level of unconditional love and sacrifice she brought to being a mother were unmatched, and the dedication to her kids made her a supermom in every sense of the word. She was also a loving wife, mother-in-law, generous friend, and a grandmother “Halmi” who covered her grandchildren’s lives with love and laughter. Her constant strength and perseverance made her the rock of our family. Whenever she was present, the room was truly brighter, and people were drawn to her kind spirit and warmth; she was always smiling. She brought happiness to all of us.

Outside of spending time with her family and friends, she enjoyed an active life full of adventure and travel. Some of her favorite activities were hiking and biking the trails of Whistler, British Columbia, which was an annual family vacation spot, going for walks in the neighborhood, and playing the “Pear Game”. She also had a heart of compassion for those in need and was dedicated to her church, supporting missions and spreading the Word of God.

Soung Hee is survived by her loving husband Suk In Lee; daughter Melissa Soung-mee Lee and husband David Xue; son Dwight Hyun-suk Lee and wife Asuka Matsumoto; her 3 “prized gems” grandchildren Camden Soung-in Xue (8), Chloe Soung-eun Xue (4), and Elton Hyun-jun Lee (2). She will be missed every day from here on forward, will never be forgotten, and will always be in our hearts. Her spirit will live on through her children and grandchildren. Love you IKUMA.