Shi Mei Li, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025, in Elk Grove, California, at the age of 92.
She was born on February 12, 1933, in Qu ng Ninh, Vietnam, where she spent her early years. In 1989, she moved to
Oakland, California, where she built a new life surrounded by family and community. A devoted matriarch, Shi Mei Li will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her deep love for gardening, and the joy she found in spending time with her family and close friends.
Shi Mei Li had eight children and is survived by seven of them: Tac Khin Hin and his wife Min Ying Yan; San Mei Xuan and her husband Jia Quan Huang; Helen Hin and her husband Fa Ming Huang; Raymond Hien and his wife Anna Hien; De Feng Xuan and her husband David Hoang; Nikki Hin and her husband Ray Luong; and Fang Hin. She was preceded in death by her son, Nelson Hien. Nelson's wife, Sue Voong, survives her.
She was a proud grandmother to 21 grandchildren: Abby and her husband Guanghou, John and his wife TingTing, Katie, Jackie, Charlie and his wife Carmen, April and her husband Jason, Fa Ming, Amy, Kelly, Justin, Shirley, Brenda, Calvin, Kenny, Laura, Angel, Rachel, Ashley, Hannah, Maggie, and Maxon.
She was also blessed with great-grandchildren: Jayden and Amber (children of Abby and Guanghou), Andy (son of Fa Ming), Oliver (son of Charlie and Carmen), and Leah (daughter of April and Jason).
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Grant Miller-John Cox Mortuary, located at 2850 Telegraph Avenue,
Oakland, CA 94609. She will be laid to rest the following day, Monday, October 6, 2025, at Rolling Hills Memorial Park, 4100 Hilltop Drive,
Richmond, CA 94804.
Shi Mei Li's legacy of love, resilience, and warmth will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be dearly missed.