Jong Sook Vanier

Jong Sook (Lee) Vanier

July 3, 1938 – May 31, 2023

Upper Darby, PA

On May 31, 2023 Jong Sook Vanier died at Kindred Hospital in Havertown with her devoted daughter by her side. Born July 3, 1938 in Seoul, South Korea, she was the daughter of the late Sam Man Lee and Kyung Rae Choi. Mrs. Vanier, or Lee, as she was affectionately called by those who loved her, experienced many hardships and obstacles during her 84 years, but she always endured with strength, grace and a smile on her face. She survived two wars, the Japanese occupation, famine, malnutrition and the death of six siblings. In 1970 she married the late Carl W. Vanier, moved to the U.S.A. and forged a new life in a foreign country. They settled in Royersford, PA where Mrs. Vanier was first a homemaker, then later worked for the Spring-Ford School District and at Diamond Glass Company. Mrs. Vanier lived in many different states, following her daughter who was in the news business. Later in life, Lee was a nanny and volunteered at the Penn Children’s Center. Lee had a big heart. She loved children and babies and loved to dance, walk and exercise, but her daughter Young Mee was the light of her life – her greatest accomplishment and joy.

Mrs. Vanier is predeceased by her sister Chong Soon Lee; survived by her only child, daughter Lena; her son-in-law, H. Eric Hall; brother-in-law, Chi Won Lee of Virginia; nephew, Sang Taek Lee of Philadelphia; sister, Chong Boon Lee of South Korea; and step daughter, Carol Vanier Bell of Prospect Park. Condolences and loving memories may be registered below.