JULIEANN JONES YIP

1956 - 2015

Julieann Jones Yip passed away at home with her family at her side in Napa, California Saturday, June 13th, 2015. Julie was born November 24, 1956 in Kansas City. Julie graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School in 1974 and from the University of Kansas in 1978 with an Economics degree. She lived in Alaska for 13 years, working for the Aleut Corporation. In 1988, she married Clinton (Chino) J. Yip. The two traveled the world together. In the early 1990's they started and owned a grocery store in the Cow Hollow district of San Francisco. In 1995, they moved to Napa, California, where they again started and operated a popular eatery named the First Squeeze for 13 years. Most recently Julie worked for the Christian Brothers Winery, also known as the De La Salle Institute, which became much more than a job to Julie. She felt very close and indebted to the La Sallion Brothers for their kindness and generosity. Julie was diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma around 2010. As the cancer spread, Julie continued her life adventures. After recovering from surgery to remove cancer, she and the family walked a 500 mile pilgrimage in Northern Spain known as the Camino de Santiago. Although Julie's life was short, she lived it with pride and purpose. Her physical size was small, but her stature and spirit was something admired and loved greatly. In addition to her husband, she leaves behind two daughters, Emma Lee Yip and Anna Marie Yip, both of Napa. She is survived by her father, Ellis R Jones, II of Prairie Village, KS; a brother Ellis R. Jones, III of Park Rapids, MN; two sisters, Sarah Jones Farmar of Denver, CO and Molly Jones Molzer of Lenexa, KS. She was predeceased by her mother, Nanette Thomas Jones and a brother, Thomas K. Jones. She leaves many aunts, uncles, cousins, other family members, and friends behind. Julie requested there be no funeral service and in lieu of flowers, she asked that you plant a tree in her name.