February 14, 1928 to March 10, 2024

Wife, mother, grandmother, dedicated church volunteer and longtime resident of Grass Valley, Dorothy Yun, passed away peacefully at St. Anne’s Home in San Francisco on March 10, 2024, at the age of 96.

One of two girls in a large Chinese family, Dorothy was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. She was a teacher at the Alpha Academy for Girls when she met her future husband, Wally. They married, moved to Grass Valley and stayed together for 69 years. Wally passed away in 2022. She is survived by her 8 children, their spouses, and 10 grandchildren.

Dorothy was a devoted member of the Roman Catholic Church and St. Patrick’s Parish in Grass Valley. She served in the church’s YLI (Young Ladies Institute), taught Sunday school, and was an active member of the Mercy Association (Affiliates) linked to the Sisters of Mercy. She and Wally also served as eucharistic ministers for those unable to attend regular church services.

Dorothy was a first-rate cook who learned traditional Cantonese cooking from her mother-in-law and later mastered a fusion of East and West cuisines. Her baking prowess was demonstrated by her numerous Nevada County Fair entries which seemed to always garner first or second place from the judges. Although she is remembered as a strict and independent-minded parent, she softened considerably with the arrival of her grandchildren with whom she fostered nurturing relationships.

Raised swimming in the ocean and playing tennis on grass in Jamaica, Dorothy had to adapt to the Grass Valley climate. She took up Nordic skiing, fishing, camping, gardening, and hiking on the many trails of the Sierra Foothills. She was happiest in the company of her energetic (read noisy) family and friends but especially savored the quiet times when children were finally asleep and the busy days wound down to “mountain quiet.”

Rosary will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024, at 6:00 pm, at Hooper and Weaver Mortuary, 459 Hollow Way, Nevada City. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 10:00 am, at St. Patrick’s Church, 235 Chapel Street, Grass Valley. Immediately following the service, please join in the procession to the Catholic cemetery on W. Main St. Reception to follow the interment at St. Patrick’s parish hall adjacent to the Church. In lieu of giving flowers, the family invites you to donate to Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Anne’s Home, https://www.littlesistersofthepoorsanfrancisco.org/donations/.