Dr. Young Sun Ryu

Dr. Young Sun Ryu, 88, died in Rochester on Sunday, June 18, 2017.

She was a selfless and resilient woman who gracefully devoted her energy and resources to the well-being of others, including her family and her patients.

She was born in Jeju-do, South Korea, on Feb. 6, 1929. She attended Seoul Women's Medical College and survived the Korean War to become an obstetrician regionally recognized for her skill. In 1963, she immigrated to the United States with her only child, Jay, to rejoin her physician husband, Dr. Jai Yol Ryu, in Alexandria, Va., where he had worked the preceding years to establish a family practice. She diligently retrained to become a pediatrician, and worked together with her beloved husband for more than 20 years, until his premature death in 1991.

Dr. Ryu moved to Rochester in 2000 to live with Jay and his family. She devoted her life to caring for those around her, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed walking in the neighborhood, caring for the pet poodle, and reading many books, particularly those on world history. Her periodic trips to South Korea always provided many delights in catching up with her siblings, other relatives, and their growing families.

She will be sorely missed, and forever loved and admired, by her son, Dr. Jay H. Ryu; daughter-in-law, Dr. Patricia A. Pellikka; grandchildren, Dr. Alexander J. Ryu and Annemarie E. Ryu; and other family members residing in the U.S. and South Korea.

A private funeral will be held in Alexandria, Va., where she will be buried beside her husband.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mayo Hospice program, c/o Department of Development, Mayo Foundation, 200 First St., SW, Rochester, MN, 55905.