Miran Choy

1927 - 2022

Miran Kim Choy
September 13, 1927 - January 27, 2022
Miran Kim Choy passed away peacefully in Seattle, WA. Alzheimer's Disease claimed the last several years of her life, which were spent in her daughter's and son-in-law's Seattle home.

Miran was conceived in San Francisco, CA, and was born in Seoul, Korea, on 9/13/27, the only child of Inae Lee and James Dong Wu Kim. While James remained in San Francisco, US anti-Asian immigration laws prevented Inae from remaining in the US to give birth, and anti-Korean Japanese laws (Korea was occupied by Japan) prevented Inae from returning to the US after Miran's birth. Thus, Miran grew up in luxury and love in her grandparents' home in Seoul, eventually attending Ewha University. Following the deaths of her mother and maternal grandparents, Miran sailed to San Francisco in 1948, meeting her father for the first time, joining a lively Korean-American community, and meeting her future husband, Dr. Sun Hak (Jack) Choy.

Miran and Sun Hak moved many times due to Sun Hak's medical training and work, cultivating many friends in Richmond VA, Charlottesville VA, Long Island NY, Kansas City MO, San Francisco CA, Clyde Hill/Seattle WA, and San Mateo CA. Miran's pharmacy studies at the University of VA were interrupted by the birth of her first child; she later went into real estate and excelled as a broker in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Miran and Sun Hak loved to travel and visited many countries during their 60 years of marriage, making friends on cruises that led to more shared travels. She was devoted to and delighted in her family; volunteered in various capacities to help those in need; loved the opera and symphony orchestra; hosted many social and cultural events; was a whiz at crossword puzzles and Sudoku, and beat everyone at Chinese checkers. She was an enthusiastic member of the San Francisco-Seoul sister city committee, supporter and docent of the SF Asian Art Museum, supporter of many charitable organizations, and was renowned for her elegance, graciousness, kindness, gregariousness, laughter and generosity. Even in the depths of Alzheimer's, she would reach out to greet friends and strangers with equal enthusiasm and friendliness. She was treasured and will be greatly missed.

Miran was predeceased by her beloved husband Sun Hak (2011) and is survived by her loving children, Elizabeth Choy (James Lobsenz) and Paul Choy (Pamela); her grandchildren, Jennifer Lobsenz (Alex Gallo-Brown), Emily Lobsenz (Chris Brodie), Regina Khoo (Gordon), Erica Choy, and Alexandra Cao (Jacob); and her great-grandchildren, Aura and Vela Gallo-Brown and Cedar and Lyla Brodie.

Special thanks to a wonderful team of home caregivers and to Kline Galland Hospice of Seattle, who all contributed greatly to Miran's comfort in her final months.

A private family memorial service is planned. If so inclined, please contribute in Miran's memory to the charity of your choice.