Yee Yeat Mae Leon 又名嫲嫲
政府稱她為 Yee Yeat Mae Leon。 對於我們其他人來說，她是嫲嫲或阿婆。
嫲嫲於1924年10月10日出生於中國廣東省台山市桂水城西。 她和哥哥由母親撫養長大，父親則在加州北部的農場打工掙錢寄回家。 儘管她只是通過父親寄來的信和母親講述的故事認識了她的父親，但嫲嫲是在一個溫暖而充滿愛的家庭中長大的。 她是一個活潑、善良、樂於助人的孩子。 她經常在村子里跑來跑去，口袋裡裝滿了自家種的花生和來自同樣愛她的家人和村民的糖果。 作為母親唯一的女兒，她在快樂和自由中長大。 （3歲時，她有足夠的自由，可以不穿褲子在村子里咯咯地跑，直到被鄰居責駡。 ）雖然當時很少有女孩上學，但她熱愛學習，堅持不懈，甚至在過了當地的教育系統批准的年紀後繼續接受教育。
從事教育工作20多年
嫲嫲是一位富有同情心、樂於奉獻的人。 因為她想教育下一代，就讀於台山女師學校（後來更名為台山華僑中學）。 她在育才小學任教多年，是一位受歡迎的老師。 當她和老師們沿著河走回家時，兩岸的學生都會喊「易老師」（易老師）」引得其他老師調侃她比毛澤東還受歡迎。 她熱愛教學，經常談論自己的經歷。 對於經濟困難的學生，她給他們買了學慣用品和衣服——她不想因為缺少書寫工具或新衣服而妨礙他們上學。 她還帶生病的學生去看醫生、接受治療。 她移民到美國後，學生們時常來看望她，她和學生的愛是雙向的。 她非常享受這次訪問，最近一次是在 2023 年 3 月見到了一群學生。
移民美國並在美國生活
嫲嫲於 1974 年抵達美國。 她移民到美國與丈夫團聚。 不久之後，她的女兒和兒子跟她們團聚。 他們搬到了佛羅里達州奧克蘭公園，住在一間臥室的公寓里。 他們沒有多少錢，集中精力攢錢買房子——嫲嫲在那裡住了 40 多年（她真的很喜歡房子、種菜的大院子和她的鄰居).
她報名參加成人教育學習英語並完成了為期 9 個月的課程。 雖然她無法繼續在美國教書，但她發現學習英語是一個有趣的挑戰。 幾年後，當她準備入籍面試時，它派上了用場。
她在莫裡森自助餐廳工作，在那裡她了解了經典的美國美食：土豆沙拉、生奶油果凍、雞肉沙拉、胡蘿蔔和葡萄乾沙拉、蝦雞尾酒和感恩節堆棧（土豆泥、餡料、火雞堆在一起並放在上面）配肉汁和蔓越莓醬）。 兩個月後，她開始受到經理的表揚，並獲得加薪和認可。 儘管她喜歡在這裡工作並遇到了很多好人，但她離開了這份工作為了撫養她的孫子（她很喜歡他們!)
嫲嫲關於長壽的建議
(你不會每天都99歲!)
這一切都始於您收到的愛。 嫲嫲將她的母親的愛、親戚群體、村裡的長輩和關心她的鄰居歸功於他們的説明，讓她長大后成為一個快樂而美好的人。 她還感謝家人對她的愛：她已故的丈夫 （Juan Luis）、女兒 （Lisa）、女婿 （Tyler）、兒子 （Yit）、兒媳 （Hong） 以及 5 個出色的孫子（戈登、安娜、梅琳達、克莉絲蒂娜和珀爾），還有 4 個美麗的曾孫（維拉、艾米麗、奧菲莉亞和埃文），以及許多圍繞和支援她的朋友和家人。
作為一名母親、祖母和曾祖母，作為一名老師，作為社區的領導者，作為她以前的學校和美國及家鄉其他事業的捐助者，以及作為朋友，她也慷慨地奉獻了自己的愛。 很多（她可以在電話裡聊幾個小時).
最後，她說要做一些讓自己開心的事情。
嫲嫲的最愛
家人和朋友、麻將（現場和在線）、觀看中文頻道的動物星球、中國戲曲、製作傳統食品慶祝節日：農曆新年的糕點和素食、生日的湯圓和端午節的粽，種菜及嘗試種龍眼，無論天氣冷熱都喝熱水，吃巧克力、杏仁餅、櫻桃、葡萄（去皮）、鹹糖、披薩、花生醬餅乾及柑。 嫲嫲對這個世界也很瞭解（尤其是在這樣一個動蕩的時代長大）——每天晚上看世界新聞，讀中國報紙。
追悼儀式
2023 年 12 月 2 日星期六
瞻仰遺容和告別
時間：中午 - 下午 1 點
地點：Kraeer-Fairchild Funeral Home and Cremation Center,
4061 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
安葬儀式
時間：下午 1:30-2:30
地点: Lauderdale Memorial Park,
2001 SW 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
素餐
時間: 下午: 3:00
地點 Silver Pond Restaurant,
4285 FL-7, Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319
我們將遵守以下中國喪葬習俗：
瞻仰遺容前，直系親屬會上香燒紙。 這一傳統確保親人在來世能夠得到他們需要的東西（包括金塊，以及給奶奶的一套麻將）。 注意：在整個瞻仰遺容期間，香可能會一直燃燒。
家庭中的女性會在頭髮上佩戴哀花：白色（女兒和兒媳）和綠色（孫子）。
奶奶的兒子、女婿都會戴上黑色的袖章。
歡迎來賓穿深色衣服，甚至紅色或粉色衣服，以慶祝祖母晚年（80 歲後）的去世。
來賓將收到一塊糖果和一個裝有 25 美分硬幣的白色小包。 請在回家之前吃掉糖果並花費/捐贈四分之一以確保您的好運。
瞻仰遺容結束後，在密封棺材之前，家人將轉身離開。 這是因為人們相信看到棺材被關閉的家人的靈魂將被困在棺材裡。
Everything Grandma Meant To Us
One of my earliest memories of gramma was the love and kindness that she exuded. I didn’t speak the same language as her but we didn’t have to. Her body language always made me feel welcomed, loved, and appreciated whenever I came to visit. Vera and Ophie were always excited to see her (especially since gramma gave them their favorite crackers.) I never got the opportunity to grow up with extended family members, so I’m grateful to see the girls play and bond with gramma.
When I think of gramma, I always remember her telling me that taking care of children was hard work, and that she appreciated me for it. I will always admire how strong she was in mind, body, and soul. She was always happy, always kept active with yard work, and always knew how to touch our hearts. I felt like I wasn’t worthy of her kindness, but I am forever grateful to have known her and that she was a part of mine and my family’s life.
Forever part of us
— Tranie
Grandma was my biggest joy.
Other than my parents, other grandparents, aunts and uncles, some family friends, and some distant relatives, grandma knew me the longest. She knew what my favorite childhood snacks were (haw flakes, white rabbit candy, iced gem biscuits), how to comfort me when I didn’t feel well, how much I enjoy cleaning (she always complimented me when I mopped the floor), and most importantly, how much I loved her.
One of my earliest memories is when grandma used to ask my sisters and cousins to sit down with a notepad or several pieces of paper and told us that we had 20/30 minutes to write as many words down during this time. Whoever wrote the most unduplicated words was declared the winner. I thought it was the best game, even though, if I recall correctly, there was no prize. In hindsight, I’m pretty sure this was her way of getting us to sit down and give her a break. :)
She helped our family out so much. While my parents were busy running the restaurant from 8 AM-11 PM or 12 AM, grandma made sure my sisters and I did our homework, and were well-fed, bathed, and entertained. She made sure we got up in the mornings to catch the school bus and looked out for us when she knew it was time for us to be dropped off.
I get my dry humor, passion for cleaning, and love for chocolate from her.
Grandma - thank you for always being on my side (even if it wasn’t always the best side). It was a privilege to be your grandchild and we shall meet again. I will miss you a lot until then.
— Ana
Ah Po did everything she could to care for us and love us as much as she could. Even with motion sickness and not being able to ride in a car locally for more than a few miles, she got in a car and rode 320+ miles just to see me graduate from college. She even recently got on a plane after 23 years just to see where I live.
She always loved making my favorite Chinese pastries growing up, taught me how to speak fluent Chinese and showed me how to be the smart, witty, strongwilled, jokester and loving person I am today.
Ah Po was my grandma, my BB and my best friend.
— Pearl
Gma had such a loving soul that she instantly loves everyone that she comes in contact with and vice versa. She was also a great baker! I loved her Chinese goodies that she made for us during CNY! My favorites were the ham dumplings and nian gao.
Grandma always wanted the best for everyone and whenever we talked to her she would always wish the best for us. My gma was super sweet to all her grandkids and definitely to her great grandkids! We will all miss gma so much!
— Christina
Grandma was the person I loved most in my entire life. I can’t imagine life without her but I hope she knew how much I loved her till the last moment.
She will always stay in my heart as the person who raised me to become the strong, independent woman I am today. She was equally caring as she was stern. She put up a lot with me growing up and I thank God she never gave up on me. Even now, I know I’ll be in trouble if I ever try to go to bed with my hair wet.
One of my earliest memories was napping in the living room floor on a bamboo mat and she would come, wipe sweat away from my head, and pat me till I went back to sleep. She made the best food, crystal dumplings, traditional fried doughnuts for holidays, congee, vermicelli noodles… sooo many delicious meals growing up. I’m so glad I got to learn some of her recipes.
There are too many memories in my heart I have with her to share. I think my favorite memories are: when you said “I love you” she’d always say “me too!”
You could always tell when she was genuinely joyful when she’d open her eyes wide, clap her hands and go “ooooo” and then cackle.
She loved to hide her snacks and candy in a tissue box next to her like we didn’t know she was sneaking them.
Often she told me stories of her childhood way into the night and we’d talk about the most random things.. usually concluding conversations about how it kept her up at night that we weren’t married with children, lol.
Grandma will always be in my heart. I wish we could have spent many many more years together but I’m glad she is at peace now playing mahjong and eating pizza with her friends and family in heaven.
— Melinda
Grandma was such a great person in and out. From the time I met her she was always so welcoming and made me feel like I was a part of the family. I loved how Grandma would sneak me her candy snacks and I would tell her no I don't want any you eat it. But she would always say, "No it's too much!"
I also love how she would teach me Cantonese phrases like colors and animals. We would just sit in the living room and repeat them back and forth to each other!
My fondest memory of grandma was how we always blew each other kisses whenever we hung up after speaking on facetime. Even though we couldn't fully understand each other, we both could understand that we both enjoyed laughing and spending time with the family.
I love you Grandma!
— Khari
If you have a memory to share or comment, please send a message below.
