In the comforts of her home, Sue Harr Lee passed away at the age of 97 while being surrounded by her family on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018.

For those who knew her, Sue will be remembered for being an extraordinary and remarkable rarity in this world. There is no other woman who will have her fierce independent spirit, her incredible strength to overcome in the feat of adversity, and her strong dedication to her family to whom she loved and adored so very much.

Sue was born in the Canton Province in China, Toisan, Hen-Sim Village in 1921 to Wah Lim and Louie Quan Hong. In the 1950s, she bravely immigrated to America to the town of Aberdeen, Wash., with her three children to join her husband. Even though she did not know a single word of English and came from humble beginnings, she was determined to provide the best life for her children, later extending to include her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Sue became an integral part of the success of Aberdeen’s Canton Café, where she became the restaurant’s beloved head chef. As she shared her cultural Chinese dishes with the residents of the town and demonstrated her exquisite culinary passion, the family business exponentially thrived under her direction up until her retirement. As Canton Cafe celebrates nearly 100 years, her legacy will endure through the Canton Cafe favorite specials that will continue to be happily ordered by loyal Canton patrons who knew and loved Sue.

To her family, Sue was generous, kind and loving. Her incredible ability to always put others’ needs before her, and determination and accomplishment to give all her children a college education solidified her as encompassing the definition of selfless. As the elapsing years provided her with more children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her love for her family remained infinite and endless, loving each and every one of them to an utmost and complete devotion.

She is survived by her seven children, Gar See Lee, Bet Thie Chow, Youk Thie Intrachat, Faye Lee, Jean Dao, Tom Lee and Mai Lee and their spouses, along with her 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, all of whom loved her so dearly and cherished every second that they had been graced by her extraordinary and loving presence.

Sue is now reunited with her husband Sing Lee, joining him to continue watching over her family from above.

There will be a time of visitation and viewing for Sue on Friday, Aug. 17, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18, at 11 a.m. in Fern Hill Funeral Home’s Chapel. Interment will follow in Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen.

Memorial flowers to celebrate Sue can be sent to Fern Hill Funeral Home.

A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Wash.