Day of Sadness
April 15, 2009
My sweet step-mother Yeongok Vanderpool died this morning in Seoul, South Korea. She and my father lived in Chinhae, a small, rural town where he teaches middle school math to military children.
Yeongok and my father met and fell in love in Pusan, South Korea, when I was a self -absorbed teenager. She was petite with jet black hair and strong features. She smiled easily and was always eager to talk — even among a family of nontalkers. She was good for my dad.
We called her “Yo” because pronouncing her Korean name twisted our American tongues into pretzels. She took it in stride.
Yeongok was always generous to my sister, me and our families. She brought us gifts from their travels abroad when they made their annual journey back to the States to visit. She never forgot to send birthday cards and Christmas cards.
Yeongok was smart, kind and she always took very good care of my father. I know she loved him very much. My heartbreaks today for his loss. He will miss her so much.
My dad is coming to stay with me, in my home, during this difficult time. He is a private, stubborn, mysterious and proud man.
He’s never asked anything of me in my life.
Just this.
April 21, 2009 at 16:20
Glad,
I am very sorry to read your about the passing of your precious Step-Mother. Sounds like she was a wonderful woman. It must be so difficult to see your father suffer such a tremendous loss and grieve during this season in his life. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers and may God’s sweet Love embrace and comfort each of you!!
Lovingly,
Janet Perry Finney
April 22, 2009 at 09:52
Dear Glad: I will always have fond memories of teaching with your Dad for over 7 years and getting to know Yeongok. We had two great visits here in my home in Florida when I retired. They were looking for places to retire at the time. Hard to believe that this small dynamo of a woman is gone. I am glad that you will be there for your Dad. If there is any memorial donations to be made, please post. Diane
April 22, 2009 at 12:54
Thanks Diane – and thank you for being such a good friend to my dad.
Glad
April 26, 2009 at 19:31
Please give Van our deepest sympathy. We hope that he is as well as possible under the sad circumstances. We have many good memories of Van and Yeongok while they were here on Okinawa. Neal and MeeHee
April 27, 2009 at 02:04
I first met Yeongok in 2001 at a UMUC conference in Tokyo. She would introduce herself as “I am ‘young oak’. Young as in ‘not old’ and oak like the ‘oak tree’.” From then on, as a colleague, I saw her to be very hard working and giving 100% in everything she does as well as being down-to-earth. I will never forget the happy times that I had with her especially since she was always one to put a smile on my face. We’ll miss you, Yeongok, but I look forward to seeing you “in the morning”.