Bok Oy “Betty” Yee, 100, of Phoenix, AZ, passed away on May 9, 2024. Bok Oy was born in Canton, China on October 7, 1923. She was the eldest of three daughters and attended school in Hong Kong. In 1948 she married her husband of 58 years, Jim Yee Sr., who served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during WWII and immigrated to the United States.
In 1948 they settled in Arizona and began their grocery business. Together they built a successful business and raised four children before retiring in 1987. Bok Oy was described as loving (true to her name “Oy meaning love”), thoughtful and spirited. She had the gift and ability to talk with anyone and made friends easily. She enjoyed spending time with family and cooking her amazing dishes, including delicious tamales, fried rice and Chinese joong. She also took great care of her beautiful and bountiful garden. She would generously share her home-grown Chinese vegetables, Chinese dates and guava with family and friends. Above all, her true passion was in the love and care she showered upon her family and spending time with them. She was truly one of a kind.
Bok Oy is deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Survivors include her four children; Jim Jr. (Debra) Yee, Betty (Mark) Carboni, Josie Yee, and Joyce (Guil) Nergard, eight grandchildren; Brian (Jaime) Yee, Stacey (Jesse) Peek, Justin (Maggie) Yee, Rebecca (Sam) Kyte, Kasey Carboni, Ana Yee Groen, and Jay Nergard, nine great-grandchildren; McKenzie (Matt) Jensen, Tyson (Mina) Yee, Jett Yee, J.J. Peek, Brielle Peek, Hudson Yee, William Yee, Hadley Kyte, and Hayden Kyte, sister; Linda Chu, nieces and nephews; Richard Chin, Mamie (Dale) Rayburn, Marie (Ray) Wong, Snyder Joe, Edward (Jennie) Joe, Chuck Woo, Sharon Chu Kwan, and Brenda Chu. Bok Oy was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Yee Sr., sister, Judy Woo, and grandson, Brandon Yee.
Services will be held Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 10:00 AM at A.L. Moore – Grimshaw, 710 West Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013. Following the funeral service will be a committal service at 12:30 PM at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024.
In lieu of flowers the family ask that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of the Valley in her name: 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0