Sookyoung Lew

Sookyoung Lew was born on September 4, 1927 to Hyun chai Yang (현 체 양), a Japanese-Korean diplomat and his wife Young Aie Yang (영 에 양) in Seoul Korea. As the eldest of nine children, Sookyoung was the designated matriarch and big sister to Sookja, Sookhi, Myoungkyo, Myoungsook, Chungja, Mkinkyo and baby sister Sookjin. The Yang family endured many hardships during the Japanese occupation and Chinese aggression, but their faith in God held the Yang family together through it all, even after suffering the loss of one of the little brothers to illness.

Sookyoung helped raise her younger siblings, often carrying them on her back, enjoying her favorite Japanese dessert treats like mochi, cream and red bean-filled anpan. An excellent student, Sookyoung worked hard at her academics and landed her first job at the prestigious Bank of Korea, beating out thousands of other applicants. Her aunt Dr. Louise Yim, of Chung An University took notice and mentored Sookyoung. At the height of the Korean war, Dr. Yim arranged safe passage for Sookyoung to attend Bob Jones University in the United States in South Carolina. Sookyoung focused her studies on education and later transferred to University of Southern California. After earning her Bachelors Degree, she continued her education at the University of Southern California to earn her Masters.

While being so far from her home and family in Korea, Sookyoung found solace in the church. She maintained her ties to her faith and her love of music by joining the Korean Methodist Church and choir on Robertson Boulevard near her USC housing. It would be in the choir where she would meet her future husband Phillip Lew. They married and would have two children together.

Sookyoung devoted her life to teaching special education/special needs children for nearly 30 years before retiring. Sookyoung enjoyed retired life, staying active in the Korean church and choir while also taking up Japanese calligraphy and water color techniques, traveling, playing piano, golf and enjoying her grandchildren all alongside her husband Phillip.

Held in the arms of her son and daughter, Sookyoung took her final journey to the house of God to reunite with her husband Phillip who passed away nearly three years prior, the day before her 94th birthday. She is survived by her son, Jerome and daughter, Andrea and four grandchildren Mia, Chase, Madison and Logan.

The Lew family would like to thank all those with the outpouring of love for Sookyoung. She is loved by so many, most all by her husband Phillip and the Lord and God the Father and Creator of All.

With Love & Gratitude

Lew Family