Seeying Yeung Liang

Seeying Yeung, born on Mar 16, 1927 in Canton, China, was a product of a German mother and a Chinese father. Her German name was 'Oshi' and she was called Seeying only when she began school. Her father was a very successful merchant who traded with the Germans. Her mother died when she was 3 and she was raised by her special
servant, Ah Zhai and her father. Her best friend was her brother, Yorkie, who was 3 1/2 years older. In addition to Yorkie, she also had an older sister and brother from her
father's previous marriage. However, they lived in the countryside and Seeying only saw them occasionally. When the civil war and the Japanese invasions came, she spent her childhood on the run and as a result, she did not get a proper education.
In 1946, her beloved brother, Yorkie, age 23, a lieutenant in the Republic of China's Air Force, was brutally murdered probably a casualty of the civil war. Her father was
distraught and a friend, Liang Wing Yun invited him and Seeying to stay with him at his house. It was here where Seeying met the man with whom she would devote almost seven decades of her life. Stanley Shyue Hsi Liang, son of Wing Yun, had just returned home to Nanking after spending several years in England studying radar.
Seeying and Stanley were married on Jan 30, 1950 in Hong Kong. By then, China was under Communist regime and they could no longer return home. In November 1950, Stanley and Seeying welcomed their first born, May. In 1954, they, along with Stanley's parents, moved from Hong Kong to Singapore where Jean was born – this was a reunion with May who had been given to Stanley's sister Kay, who could not have children of her own. Stanley left Singapore in 1963 to further his education at the University of
Pennsylvania. For three years, Seeying was the head of household. She drove the girls back and forth to school and piano lessons, visited elderly relatives and friends, mailed supplies to family who had remained in the new Communist China, opened an import/export business, went to the movies, got a dog (Stanley disapproved of dogs), tended to her orchids and made sure that everyone had wonderful birthday celebrations. Seeying was frugal, but still managed a joy-filled life for her young family and provided
generously to those in need.
Seeying, May and Jean emigrated to the United States in 1966 where they joined Stanley in Philadelphia. Her pursuit of the American dream began here, shortly after the arrival of son, Karl, in 1967. It was in North Philadelphia that Seeying opened the first of many restaurants. Initially panned by her customers who were unable to cope with authentic Chinese cooking, Seeying soon maintained a steady group of customers who marveled at her excellent cooking, one of whom was a Philadelphia Inquirer food critic. Egg Foo Young was replaced by Shrimp with Pinenuts. Seeying's reputation blossomed. The restaurant became the core of her family's life - everyone had a role in it. Seeying and Stanley worked side by side in the five restaurants that they owned: Mandarin and Jade Palace (PA), Jade Pavilion (CA), Silver Dragon and Beijing (LV). They moved to Las Vegas in 1979 where Silver Dragon was a base for relatives, new to United States, to get grounded in their new country. Despite her demanding responsibilities at the restaurant, for nine years, she also took care of her sister-in-law, Kay who had been incapacitated by a stroke, by cooking and delivering fresh Chinese meals to her in her nursing home every day!
At almost 70, Seeying retired. She enjoyed her life outside the hot, greasy kitchen and she devoted her energies toward taking care of Stanley. Seeying loved Las Vegas. She loved the dry, hot weather, the casinos and it seemed that everyone in Chinatown knew her and Stanley. In 2014, May took early retirement and moved in to care for her elderly parents. When Stanley passed in 2016, May lovingly doted on Seeying until she could no longer safely do so. At this point, Seeying moved to Avenir, an assisted memory care facility. Seeying loved the 7 months she was at Avenir. Despite having mild dementia and
without speaking much English, Seeying could still express her generous love.  As a result of her giving love, she received it in multitude in return, especially from her
caregivers.
Seeying persevered through her hardships and never let them hold her down. She was extremely intelligent and a natural story teller. Seeying embodied love. She unconditionally loved everyone in her very diverse family and she respected all peoples. She met them all with kindness, good humor and a generous spirit. She was and continues to be an inspiration to us.