Gloria Lee Yuen

Obituary for Gloria Yuen, 1929 – 2017

Our mother, sister, and friend, Gloria Lee Yuen, passed away on February 19, 2017 in Alhambra, CA. She died of natural causes and went peacefully and without pain. She died just three days short of her 88th birthday.

Gloria was born on February 22, 1929 in Calexico, CA, the first born daughter of Eddie E. Lee and Jennie Chan. Within five years, the family grew to include two sisters, Faye Lee and Marjorie Jane. The three sisters were very close. Gloria met Harry W.Q. Yuen in 1953 and they were married on May 29, 1954 in Los Angeles. They had a long and loving marriage until Harry's passing in August 1999.

Gloria graduated from University of California Los Angeles in August 1951, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts. She spent the next 22 years teaching in the L.A. public schools, inspiring high school students to appreciate art through drawing, painting, and expression. After a rewarding career in education, Gloria decided to try something new and joined corporate America by working at Trans World Airlines for the next 17 years. She held positions in multiple departments with her final role being the executive assistant to the VP of Sales in the Western Region. After a demanding career at TWA, she went to work part-time for a non-profit organization, Pacifica Radio, a NPR local affiliate, where she worked in the archive department. At full retirement she enjoyed many remaining years with Harry, playing golf, traveling, and dancing. In 2007, after living her entire life in L.A., she moved to Chicago to live near her daughter and experience life in a different city. In 2015 she returned to Alhambra, CA. Gloria's hobbies included playing the ukulele, enjoying Hawaiian music, avid reader, and enthusiastic sports fan.

Gloria is survived by her daughter Michele "Shelley" Benson (Jon Benson) and son Bradley Yuen. She has three grandchildren; Joe Benson (Emily Mohl), Mike Benson (Christine Carlsen) and Jillian Benson (Jon Beyreuther), three great grandchildren; Laurel, Arthur, and Hazel; and her sister Marjorie Chun-Hoon (Bill Chun-Hoon).

A memorial service will be held at the Merriam Chapel, Atherton Baptist Homes in Alhambra, CA on April 1, 2017 at 2:00p.m.

ABH - 214 S. Atlantic Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801. Phone: 626-289-4178.