Myung-Sim Yew

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, wife, grandmother, sister, and friend, Myung-Sim Yew, on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Myung-Sim lived a life of resilience, grace, and boundless love.

The youngest of five siblings, Myung-Sim graduated from Ewha Womans University before immigrating to Canada in 1971. She devoted her early career to social work but found her true calling as a homemaker, dedicating herself to her Christian faith and her family. With her husband, Kwang Yew, she raised three children—Ted, Eric, and Abby—and created a home that moved with them across Seoul, Tokyo, and Canada as they navigated 15 years of expatriation to support Kwang’s career. In the midst of relocations, she was also able to earn her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Yonsei University.

Myung-Sim was bold and ferocious, achieving so much in quiet confidence and calm. During her time in Chatham, Ontario, while raising her young family, Myung-Sim also led the organization and establishment of a Korean language school. Held once a week in the evenings at a local public school, the program was her heartfelt effort to enable second-generation Korean children and teens to learn and preserve their heritage through the Korean language.

She showed incredible resilience, overcoming ovarian cancer to achieve remission in 2019, and later finding the courage to rebuild her mobility and embrace travel again after a lupus diagnosis. Just last month, she traveled with her husband across South Korea, savouring time with family, old friends, and her university alumnae—a testament to her enduring spirit.

She was an avid and voracious reader, talented flutist, 16-handicap golfer, and world traveller who journeyed across six of the world’s seven continents. Most of all, she loved gathering with her family. Her greatest joy came from her grandchildren: Aidan, Davis, Nicole, Emma, Beckett, and Leonie. She was their fierce supporter and cherished every moment with them.

After a brave 10-day fight against sepsis, meningitis, and ventriculitis, she is now at peace with God, free from pain and suffering.

Myung-Sim is survived by her devoted husband of 52 years, Kwang; her children: Ted Yew (Soo-jin Kim and grandchildren Aidan, Davis, Nicole), Eric Yew (wife Hye-Young and granddaughter Emma); and Abby Yew (husband Peter Brough and grandchildren Beckett and Leonie), as well as her loving sisters and extended family.

Though we are heartbroken by her passing, we will honour her legacy by living with grace, hospitality, compassion, and unwavering love—just as she did.

“Until we meet again, Mom. We miss you, we love you, and we carry you in our hearts forever.”

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 28, 2024, from 5:00 ~ 7:00 p.m. at Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, where a funeral service will be conducted on Friday, November 29, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will take place at  Oakland Cemetery. For those unable to attend the funeral service a livestream is available. To register click: Remembering Myung-Sim