Our sweet mother, Choi Soon Ham, passed away on Sept. 29. She was at peace, surrounded by family. She was 80.
Choi Soon was born on May 2, 1939, in Rangoon, Burma, to Ken Hai Wong and Woo Hen Ham. She was the youngest of five daughters and two sons.
Choi Soon met Yeong Tay Yeh at a friend's wedding and they got married in 1958. They had five children: Que Yeh (Sally Yeh), Klew Lian Yeh (Tom Mori), Ngook Lian Yeh (Harry Joseph), Eng Kong Yeh (Holly Major-Yeh), and Oie Lian Yeh. The family moved to Salt Lake City in 1973. Choi Soon worked as a seamstress for Mode O'Day and then in the laundry department for LDS Hospital. In her later years, she worked as an assembler for Purolator.
She didn't cook when she was younger, but learned once she had her family. She was a wonderful cook and showed her affection with food. Visitors to her home were always asked if they'd eaten and could she feed them.
Choi Soon had many loves (going to Wendover, of course, and singing old Chinese songs), but she loved her family the most. She was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren. She marveled at their accomplishments and adored their company. When they came to visit, she would always cook their favorite dishes.
Throughout her life, she was supportive of her parents and siblings even though they all lived in different countries. They preceded her in death, and in her final days she expressed that she wanted to be reunited with them, especially her mom.
Choi Soon is survived by her husband, five children, and nine grandchildren. We will miss her dearly.
