Fawn Yee Leong's Obituary
Fawn Yee Leong, beloved mother, grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026, at the age of 101. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Fawn’s life journey carried her from Columbus to New York, then to San Francisco and Oakland—leaving a lasting impression everywhere she went.
In 1947, at a YWCA dance, she met Thomas Leong, son of the Rev. B. Y. Leong of the Chinese Congregational Church. They married soon after and shared 63 years together, raising five children in North Beach and later in Trestle Glen, Oakland.
Fawn was a woman of beauty, intelligence, and strong determination. During the Golden Age of Chinese nightclubs, she performed in San Francisco’s Chinatown and briefly in Las Vegas. Alongside her sister, dancer Coby Yee, and their siblings, she helped operate the Forbidden City nightclub, which played a meaningful role in Asian American cultural history.
She later built a successful career at Safeway, where she was recognized for her outstanding customer service and back-office acumen. Seeking financial independence, Fawn turned her focus to real estate investment. Through study, classes—including Toastmasters International—and a natural gift for negotiation, she steadily built a strong and successful portfolio.
Creative, curious, and endlessly resourceful, Fawn traveled the world and embraced every opportunity to learn something new. At home, she was a prolific maker and sewist—crocheting, knitting, sewing, creating pottery, and diving into countless arts and crafts projects.
Fawn often shared her guiding philosophies, which became part of her legacy:
“You can do anything as long as you set your mind to it.”
“Think BIG and have a dream.”
She also liked to remind her children of the importance of “pulling yourself up by the bootstraps” and the enduring power of positive thinking.
Fawn is survived by her five children—Dennis, Darrell, Dawna (Gerry), Dwight (Angela), and Doreen (Kevin)—as well as her niece, Shari, and grandchildren, Garrett, Tara, Amanda, and Luke. She also leaves behind many dear relatives and friends who cherished her warmth, humor, and generous spirit.
Her life was long, full, and rich with love, creativity, and resilience. Fawn’s legacy endures through her family and all those whose lives she touched.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fawn’s memory to the Chinese Congregational Church, 21 Walter U Lum Place, San Francisco, CA 94108.
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