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Light a Candle
Celebration of Life Gathering
Sunday February 12th, 2017
3:00pm – 5:30pm
Taborspace
Copeland Commons
5441 SE Belmont St
Portland, OR 97215
Judy Wai Louie
January 23, 1955 – January 24, 2017
At 12:45 pm on January 24th, 2017 Judy Wai Louie, 62, of Portland, Oregon was taken from us to be with the Lord. Ugly Colon Cancer tried to take her, but God’s grace allowed her to peacefully go home to Heaven as she was surrounded by her loving family.
Judy was born in Hong Kong in 1955 to her parents, Kong Koke Mar and Sui Jean Mar. She enjoyed having the rooftop of their home and the neighborhood as her playground with her siblings Helen, Jack and friends. Spending time with her dad at morning tea on her way to school was a daily highlight for her. She grew up under the guidance of her loving parents which allowed her to develop the highest work ethic, a sense of selflessness and a giving spirit that she demonstrated by always giving the best to others even when she did not have much of her own.
Her family immigrated to the United States in 1968 to join the rest of the family that had already made the journey. While it was difficult for her to adjust to a new life as a teenager in America, she made the most of the situation and thrived. Her family initially landed in Seattle and lived there for two years. Then, she moved by herself to Portland in order to help her grandmother who was then-living with her half- brother, Bill, and his family. Judy had to quickly learn how to be independent and resilient while being away from her parents and siblings.
In 1971, her parents and siblings moved to Portland to join her and she was home again. Soon thereafter, she began attending church with her mother and siblings and was baptized in 1972 making her public recognition of her faith in Jesus Christ.
Judy graduated from John Marshall High School in 1974 and studied nursing at Portland Community College and general studies at Portland State University. She began her career working at U.S. Bank and later at First Interstate Bank. Among the many jobs that she held, the fondest period of her working-career was being the owner-operator of the Chinawind Bookstore in Portland’s Chinatown. There, she could put her avid passion of reading to good use. Chinawind was her pride and joy. It was more than a business to her as she made friends with many of her customers. So much so, that each time when they came to her store, it was more like a visit with Judy than simply buying a book or a magazine.
Then, in 1982, she married Wing Louie and had two sons, Derrick and Dustin. While she loved life, she loved her boys even more. She worked long hours at multiple jobs in an effort to give them all that the world had to offer. She loved to show them new, delicious foods and taught them how to share them with others - she was truly one of the original foodies.
Really, her big hobby was food. She is an acclaimed food critic and harsh one at that. Family vacations were often to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Vancouver BC where she could experience some of the best Chinese food the world had to offer. The trips were always the highlights of her life. She also enjoyed watching Chinese soap operas, movies, and concerts. Her collection of VHS tapes of Chinese soap operas and concerts is considered a prized-possession. She also enjoyed attending Chinese concerts in Seattle and Canada with her friends.
Aside from her family and work, Judy was a devoted Sunday School teacher. Her students remember her well. One of her students, Matthew came to visit her and prayed for her on the eve of her passing. While it’s hard to name all of her accomplishments, she has touched many lives and her legacy lives on. Her contagious smile and laughter and warm heart will linger on eternally. And, she will always be thought of with joy.
Judy is survived by her sons, Derrick Louie and Dustin Louie; grandchildren, Kaden Louie and Silas Louie; sister, Helen Ying; brother, Jack Mar; brother-in-law, Stephen Ying; sister-in-law, April Mar; nieces, Melanie Ying and Joelle Mar; and nephews, Geoffrey Ying and Jaden Mar. Her extended family also includes half siblings and in-laws, Bill and Pearl Mar, Perry Mar, David and Fay Mar, and Shuet Jun Low and their children, Debbie Mar, Eugene Mar, Brian Mar, Amy Fankhauser , Cindy Mar-Margheim, Paul Mar, Susan Ariola, Connie Volz, Stanley Mar, Susan Low and Paul Low. And even though she has left before so many of her relatives, she leaves behind even more friends. Everybody loved Judy and she always had a smile to share with them.
From Derrick Louie, her eldest son
Sharing the same roof for most of my life, I spent a lot of time with my mom - which gave her many opportunities to teach me her lessons. Most of the time, I didn’t think much about what she was trying to tell me; but now, as I’ve gotten older, I realize that she’s instilled in me one of the most important things that I’ll ever need to know. She’s taught me what it means to love and she’s shown me how to prove it.
Although my mom’s life wasn’t always a like a dream and she had a lot of ups and downs, she always showed her love to me by giving me her best even when she didn’t have a lot to give. She taught me to always share whatever you have and to always put the ones you love before yourself. That is how she lived and that is what I seek to carry-on as part of her legacy. Thank you for teaching me this, mom; and thank you for always making us as happy as you wanted us to be. I love you mom, you will be forever missed.
From Dustin Louie, her youngest son
Mom, most important thing I can say is thank you. Thank you for giving Derrick and I this world. Thank you for your unconditional love. You taught me all I know- How to care for others, have patience, don’t dwell over the little things, how to be a hard worker and how to stand up for what’s right. You did it mom. You raised 2 young men that you can be very proud of.
Though you may be gone from this earth, you will always be in our hearts. I will never forget what you taught us. I will never forget how you could turn my worst days into the best by a simple talk and your humor. You always worked so hard to give your sons the best. I promise to carry the same values you instilled in us to your grandchildren so you will be proud of them as well. Love love.
From Melanie Ying, her beloved niece
Yeema means 2nd mom in Chinese (or something like that), and that's exactly what you were to me. Thank you for loving me like your own daughter. You have been a part of my life since day 1 and it's so hard to grasp that you are not here anymore. I can't even begin to imagine what you went through in these last 6 months. You were so undeserving of the ugliness of this stupid cancer. You loved life and loved your boys more than life. You saved the best for others even when you didn't have a lot. You tirelessly worked your butt off and was so looking forward to retirement. 62 and one day....this would've been your first social security check. But you know what? Against all odds, against the suffering and the pain, you told us to be strong. You showed us how to be strong through your fight, your resilience, and your faith. Thank you Yeema for being everything for us; for taking care of us, for loving us, for protecting us, for being proud of us, for making us laugh, for showing us how to have fun and enjoy life, for teaching us how to be respectable adults, for teaching us how to share, for teaching us how to work hard, and for making sure we always wore a coat whenever it was cold outside. You were the best. I will always remember you for the amazing woman that you were. I love you, Yeema.
From Helen Ying, her beloved sister
Sis, you have been my role model from day one. I have always admired your giving spirit and selfless attitude - you gave and never expected anything in return. I will always remember how you took care of Melanie and Geoffrey while Stephen and I took time off for getaways and how you would come over to help me pack after a long day of work for the many times that we moved. In sum, you are simply a beautiful woman who is a ball of love.
While we have always known you as a strong person, these last few months in your battle with cancer gave us a chance to see your true strength, the ultimate was that two days before your passing you simply told me that you were going to die and for us to be strong. Indeed, your strength will carry us on.
