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A message from Brian and Stephanie...
Stephanie and I would like to thank all of you for your tremendous support through this very difficult time for us. Your love and kindness will always be remembered by both of us and our family. Gina and Christopher would be touched by the outpouring of love and support that was given to our family. Although our loss is still very painful, your kind words have helped us realize the importance of celebrating the memory of their lives.
It is extremely difficult for us to put into words what Gina and Christopher meant to us.
Gina was more than a mother and wife. She was our best friend and one who we could always confide with. I shared my life with her and I cannot begin to describe how much she gave to me. In Gina, I found everything that I was missing in my own life. As for Christopher, there was never a day that went by that I was not proud of my son. He accomplished so much in his life, and he did it with such an ease, just like his mother, Gina.
Gina and I had been married for 22 years. Getting married to Gina was the happiest day of my life. However, I was blessed again to enjoy two more “happiest days of my life” when our children, Christopher and Stephanie were born. Gina and I considered ourselves extremely blessed to receive two such wonderful gifts and to raise them as our children.
Gina had always sacrificed for all us and especially for me. Gina sacrificed her career and left her beloved family in Taiwan to start a new family with me in the United States. I also must thank Gina’s parents for allowing their only daughter to travel across the Pacific Ocean to be with me. I am eternally grateful to them for this. Gina made our life complete. Her beautiful smile and personality will live on in all our hearts and minds.
Christopher had always been a wonderful son to me and a devoted brother to Stephanie. He was someone that both Stephanie and I could count on and everyday that we had with him was a blessing. Christopher was so successful in everything he did. They say that it is every father’s dream that his child’s accomplishments surpasses his own, and I can say, without a doubt, that Christopher was my dream come true.
Stephanie and I both miss Gina and Christopher dearly. We know that we will think of them everyday and remember all of the joy and happiness they brought to us. Both of them will live on in our minds and hearts forever because they managed to touch all of our lives. Stephanie would like to dedicate a poem “I did not die” by Melinda Sue Pacho to her mother and brother, because, although they are not with us on this earth, we know that Gina and Christopher will be watching us from heaven. We all love them both so much!
THANK YOU AGAIN!!!
I Did Not Die
Do not stand at my grave and forever weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and forever cry.
I am not there. I did not die.
- Melinda Sue Pacho
Click on this link to view a 19+ min slideshow shown at the funeral service:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3839612820805804282&hl=en
Gina died in a car accident on Saturday August 12, 2006. Already hard to understand, what makes it more difficult to comprehend is that her only son Christopher died alongside her.
Can it be that we only realize how fragile life is when someone close dies suddenly. I know little about Gina, actually I know Brian, her husband. Not knowing her personally, it may seem strange to be so affected by her passing. Yet I know that many of us are asking the same questions and dealing with similar feelings...perhaps it's the main reason for starting this memorial website (you will find her son Christopher's site at http://christopher-yeh.memory-of.com). It doesn't matter how much or how little you knew them, here we all have a chance to share our thoughts and thus really how in their own ways Gina and Christopher continue to touch others lives. And the hope is that eventually the words here will help comfort Brian and Stephanie. None of us can begin to fathom what they are going through but maybe knowing we are here with them at all times will help them get through those difficult times ahead.
The "how" details are still unclear to many but those will come out in the coming days. It's the "whys" that won't be answered as easily and will linger. Everyone knows her husband Brian at work. He's the ultimate "nice guy". These things are not supposed to happen to "nice guys"...but they do. So everyone STOP! Take a moment to hug your loved ones, especially your kids. Every day counts, making special moments that become our lasting memories.
To visitors, if you have a picture or story of Gina, please do not hesitate to upload and share it here with all of us who know her, or have come to know her, as a very special person.
Autumn Rain
There's a very special garden
Where the trees of memory grow
Nurtured by the kindness
And concern that good friends show.
The roots are cherished memories
Of good times in the past
The branches tender promises
That souls endure and last.
It's a place of peace and beauty
Where bright new hopes can start
It's memory's lovely garden
That soothes the hurting heart.
- Author unknown
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Click here to see Gina Yeh's Family Tree |
 Tributes and Condolences |
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Your Loss. / Kambiz Hadjforoosh
Dear Brian,
I just gat back from my vacation and I heard about your tremendous loss. Having been subjected to the loss of a close relative during my vaction in Iran, I can somewhat feel how your mind might be racing thorough the ...
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Condolences on this terrible loss / Margil Wadley
It seems there are no words to adequately express my heartfelt sorrow at your loss.
Though we were not connected on a daily basis, I have fond thoughts of you.
Please know that those thoughts go out to you now at this time of need.
Mar...
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Prayers for Peace & Condolence / Greta Grier (Co-worker of Brian )
Brian, Stephanie,
Words cannot express how deeply I was moved upon hearing of the tremendous loss of your wife, Gina, and your son, Chris. My heart mourns sorrowfully for you and your family. I will pray for complete comfort to come ...
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Heartfelt Condolences / Michelle White &. Penny Shaw Cedillo (SCAQMD)
Brian & Stephanie,
Our words cannot bring you comfort to ease your pain, but please know that you do not grieve alone. May your faith and memories bring you comfort and courage to go on.
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May God Bless you! / Paulette Henson (Co-Worker of Brian )
Dear Brian and Stephanie,
My prayers are with you during this time. May God comfort you.
Paulette Henson
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| Her legacy |
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Never Apart
Gina and Christopher Yeh, mother and son, were two wonderful and exceptional people who, in their brief time with us, managed to touch all of our lives. Very rarely are we fortunate enough to know two individuals who were blessed with intelligence and talent, but at the same time were open, honest and giving to all they knew.
Remarkably, both Gina and Christopher shared so many traits that at times, they were indistinguishable. As Christopher grew older, it became obvious that he had inherited many qualities from his mother. Both were intelligent and over-achieving as well as caring and giving. Both enjoyed life fully and never cast a shadow upon others. And both firmly held on to the bond they had as mother and son.
Gina Yeh was born on November 24, 1958 in Taipei, Taiwan. She was the only daughter and first of four children born to Samuel and Rose Chen. According to her father, the nurses all agreed that she was the prettiest baby in the nursery when she was born. As she grew older, she became a dutiful daughter to her parents and a dependable big sister to her three younger brothers.
She finished all of her primary schooling in Taiwan and received a degree in Accounting in 1979. Throughout her educational career, she was known by her classmates and teachers as a high caliber student, never failing to impress others with her intelligence and work ethic. After finishing college, she began working for Upjohn Pharmaceuticals in Taiwan as an accountant. As a young professional, her colleagues often recalled Gina as being outstanding at her work, solving problems with ease and earning the respect of her co-workers.
Throughout her life, Gina remained an independent spirit. She was a free thinker who cultivated her own ideas and defended them vigorously. However, she also maintained a balance between her independence and accommodation of others. She was always respectful of her parents’ wishes and did all she could to make her parents proud of her. Indeed, Samuel and Rose were always proud of their daughter.
Gina met Brian through a mutual friend in 1983. It was love at first sight. They became engaged on June 26, 1983 and were married the following year on June 2, 1984 in Taipei, Taiwan. When Gina moved with Brian to the United States, she sacrificed her own career to be with the man she loved.
One of the sources of Gina’s happiness was when her children, Christopher and Stephanie, were born. After moving to Southern California, she declined several career accounting positions and transferred her talent and skill as an accountant to becoming a full-time mother to her children and devoted wife to her husband. When Christopher was born, her focus was immediately upon this gift from God that she had received. Part of the reason why Gina and Christopher were so close was her devotion to Christopher the minute he was born. When Christopher was two years old, she took him to a class entitled “Mommy and Me’ – an early child development class, because she wanted to learn how to provide the very best to her new son. When Stephanie was born, she gave the same devotion and love to her new daughter.
Starting her new life in Southern California with her new family, Gina gave of herself constantly to everyone that she knew. She managed every detail and difficulty of the house, from balancing the checkbook, to maintaining accurate credit reports, to paying all the bills. She was the physical, emotional, financial and personal foundation for the family. She stayed close with her family and relatives in the United States and Taiwan and also embraced her new extended family, adopting Brian’s family as her own. Gina gave the same respect and love that she gave her own parents to Brian’s parents and his grandfather.
She never ceased giving to her children. Gina made sure that Stephanie was at her piano lessons while Christopher was at tennis practice. She was in and out of the house all day long. She was the moral support and the cheerleader for her children. Not surprisingly, Gina also gave of herself to the children of other families as she was often volunteering as room mom, working in the library, and assuming the role of “team mom” for all of Christopher’s and Stephanie’s various sports teams.
Gina treasured her husband. She found time during her day to travel ten miles to Brian’s office to bring him a hot meal, showing the strong devotion and love she had for him. They shared every facet of their lives with each other. Together they played tennis and traveled. They took walks around the neighborhood each night after dinner. They watched movies and cheered their children on together. Gina completed Brian, and he completed her.
Gina loved tending to her rose gardens; planting all of the rose gardens in the front and back yards. Her roses perhaps accurately reflect the type of person she was: a beautiful person who shared her beauty with all.
Central to Gina was her never-ending desire for knowledge. She taught herself how to build a garden and how to use a computer. She learned how to manage personal and home finances. Furthermore, she had been exploring the Christian faith and had adopted many Christian values into her daily life.
Everyone who knew Gina described her as always having a beautiful smile. It was not difficult for her to make friends because she gave of herself so often: cooking three course meals in minutes and opening the door to her house for all. What she left her family and friends was her beautiful smile and giving personality. These will be engraved in our minds and hearts forever.
Throughout both of their lives, both Gina and Christopher were people who had a profound influence upon their friends and family through their personalities, as well as a profound influence upon the world with their accomplishments. They gave to everyone around them, but they especially gave to each other.
Gina and Christopher were not only mother and son, they were also best friends. Just as the two of them were inseparable during their time with us on this earth, they will forever be together as they watch over us from heaven.
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Manny's Eulogy
I was requested by Brian to share with you some happy and funny memories I spent with his family. For those who don’t know me, my name is Manny Quizon but Brian’s family called me the fish doctor. Why fish doctor? The fish doctor name started when I went fishing with the family exactly 12 years ago in Mammoth Lakes. When I was removing the hook from the fish mouth using the Kelly clamp from the hospital, Stephanie saw me and asked “Are you a doctor?” and Brian’s quick response was “yes, he’s a fish doctor”. That day was an unforgettable day for all of us because we caught 25 trout and everybody had a great time. After the fishing trip, I became very close to his family and became the family’s home improvement and project consultant. The only problem with that was that every time Gina sees or thinks about the fish doctor, Brian is in trouble because it means work for him. Brian used to bribe me with lunch, as many lunch as I want as long as I stayed away from Gina. So anytime I want a free lunch from Brian, all I have to say is “how’s Gina”. I remember one time, Gina asked Brian to invite me for lunch because she wants to do a project and on the way to their house Brian keep telling me that I should tell Gina that the project she wants is impossible and cannot be done. He kept saying “I know Gina will believe you so please tell her that it is impossible and I will take you to lunch as much as you want”. Gina was a great cook and I just love her cooking so I told Brian I can’t do that. Deep inside me, I rather have Gina’s cooking that Brian’s free lunch. I told her that the project can be done but will be expensive, so Brian was so relieved when Gina decided to abandon the project. Brian was relieved with Gina’s project when Christopher went to college and Gina’s attention was focused on the needs of Christopher and Stephanie. But when Stephanie went to college, Brian’s trouble started because Gina started thinking of those projects and I loved it because I got free lunches from Brian and had Gina’s cooking, a win win situation for me. I was very fortunate to spend a lot of time with Gina and Brian this year and last year. The three of us always have a lot of fun together. Gina always have that beautiful smile and always happy and laughing. One time we were at the back of the house doing the roof of the shed and Gina was telling Brian that he is too slow and that she wants Brian to move a little faster or else she would take over. I will never forget her comment, she told Brian “at AQMD you’re the boss, but in this house I’m the boss”. We were all laughing after that comment and it reminded me of Brian and my motto that says “I’m the master of this house with my wife’s permission”. The next day, we were doing the door and nailing the frame for the door and she was supervising us and made this comment”how come when the fish doctor hit the nail it takes him only two strikes to drive the nail in but it takes you at least ten times to drive the nail in” and Brian responded I’m perfectionist and I don’t want to mess up. Poor Brian, Gina and I always pick on him.
On a Sunday night two weeks before the accident, Brian gave me a call and he needs some help on his plumbing. I came over the house and we fixed the plumbing and Gina prepared dinner for us. Gina told me to wash my hand because dinner will be ready and I was to wash my hand at the kitchen sink and she told me to use the bathroom instead. Before I left the kitchen, I noticed the shrimps still with shell on the sink and when I finished washing my hand and went back to the kitchen, the shrimps were cooked and already on the table. She is the best and fastest cook I have ever known. After dinner, she told Brian to show me the project that he did on the back. She was very happy and very proud of Brian and she said that Brian finished a project without the fish doctor’s help. We were all very happy that night, laughing and joking and sharing what our plans for the future. I will never forget that night. Gina and Christopher have a special place in my heart and I will never forget them. I will miss both of them very much.
I would like to read a poem titled “I’m Free” that I’m sure Gina and Christopher would like for us to know,
Don’t grieve for me, for I’m free. I’m following the path God laid for me. I took God’s hand when I heard the call; I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day to laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, I found that place at the close of day.
In my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss. Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief; don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me- God wanted me now,
GOD set me free.
-Manuel Quizon- |
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| Gina's Photo Album |
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