Stella Yokeling Lee's Obituary
Stella Yokeling Lee, 87, of San Leandro, passed away September 8, 2024.
In loving memory of Stella Yokeling Lee. Beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, wife, sister, and friend.
On March 14, 1937 Stella was born at her home in San Francisco, CA to King Sing Wong and Yee Nong Lee. Stella was the third of six children. Hannah the oldest, followed by Robert, then Stella, Hester, Jean, and Helen. She considered herself to be a “tomboy” as a child who enjoyed playing cowboys and Indians and wasn’t afraid to pop off a bottle cap with her teeth. In school, she claimed to be shy and quiet and not a big fan of reading or Chinese school. She would write on her arm what she had to memorize but still, at times the wrath of the ruler would find her. Stella had a remarkable work ethic that started at a young age. She graciously spent hours helping her parents at the family business, Wing Chun Laundry in Pacific Heights and later, as a teenager, at the family corner store in Oakland. She graduated from Oakland High School in 1955 and later worked at the Bank of America on California Street in San Francisco. At the end of the work week, she would periodically sip a Tom Collins downtown with her co-workers to unwind.
On July 11, 1965, Stella married Soo Qun Chin and began her family of five. Sabrina, Andrew, Krissy, Kim, and Alex sure kept her busy. Stella was an amazing mom. From making lunches, helping with homework and school projects, sewing costumes and hemming pants, rubbing Vicks on everything when they were sick, to carting the kids to ballet and baton twirling lessons, to doctors appointments, planning birthday parties and family vacations. Stella was dedicated to her family and was always on the go. She took pride in everything that she did for her family, especially making sure they were well fed and their clothes were cleaned and pressed to perfection.
Stella also had a green thumb and grew the most beautiful flowers, biggest zucchinis and tomatoes, and had the nicest manicured yard on the block. She also loved animals and always had pets. All of her dogs knew how to shake and were loyal, obedient, and well groomed. Stella was an amazing cook as well. She
made the best lemon meringue pies, black mushrooms, Chinese soups and was able to carve a Thanksgiving turkey like no other. In her free time, she played tennis, bowled and took aerobics, taiko, accounting and even construction classes. When her children were grown, she worked at Macys where she made good friends, some extra money, and a discount that she couldn’t resist.
Stella’s smile was like sunshine. She loved to learn to do new things, keep busy, and made friends wherever she went. From cake decorating, ceramics, and floral arrangements classes, she always made it beautiful. She also stayed active with her bowling team, Santa’s Little Helpers, at Manor Bowl and her zumba and tai chi exercise classes at the senior center. In doing so, her team, classmates, and instructor Kathy became her nearest and dearest friends. She also enjoyed going to the casino to scout out the lucky slot machines to possibly win some money to share her winnings and end the evening with a great meal. Whether a steak dinner, a burger, or at the buffet, she made sure you ate your fill and then some but was always sure to leave room for dessert.
She lived fearlessly in the latter half of her life, from white water rafting down the American River, horseback riding on the beaches of Half Moon Bay to ziplining down Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Stella rode the wildest roller coasters with both hands in the air. Stella also knew how to take it easy. She was always up for a good western and smackdown match on tv, a stroll through a park or a flower shop, but was also down (downtown) for a Cirque du Soleil show, musical, or museum. Stella’s taste for travel and adventure didn’t stop at Hawaii, but also took her to Alaska and even Tennessee. She was able to fill her passport with stamps from China, Thailand, Germany, Austria, France, Denmark, Australia, Panama and even Jamaica too.
Stella became PauPau to Tatyana, Eros, and Katia. Stella was always thrilled to hear about their passions and adventures - soccer games, dance shows, musical theater, jiu jitsu tournaments, skiing and success in school. Along with the activities they had in common - art, cooking, traveling, horseback riding and loving animals. The grandchildren inherited Stella’s sunny smile and joyful demeanor.
As we mourn the loss of Stella, our hearts are heavy with both grief and boundless love. Whether you called her Stell, mom, Noke, PauPau, friend, or sunshine, Stella touched all of our lives in so many ways. This angel earned her wings and is in the arms of our Lord, pain free and smiling. Let us never forget all the wonderful moments we have shared with this amazing woman with a loving kind heart and a beautiful warm smile.
Following interment at Mountain View Cemetery please join the family for a luncheon at Pacific Lighthouse located at 1051 Pacific Marina, Alameda CA 94501. Please RSVP to [email protected] by 9/27/24.
“Keep smiling and make it beautiful”-Stella Lee
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