Iris M. Yen (Au), age 90, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, loving wife, mother, and Tutu passed away peacefully at home in the evening on December 10, 2021. Iris was born in Honolulu and grew up in Kalihi Valley. She went to St. Anthony School and was a 1949 graduate of Farrington High School. Iris attended the University of Dayton in Ohio and later became a student at the San Francisco Art Institute. After marrying Warren K.C. Yen in San Francisco, CA on July 31, 1953, she and her family settled in Kaneohe in 1963 not far from their parish, St. Ann Church. Iris enjoyed sewing, making ceramics, arranging flowers, lei making, and collecting orchids. She also found pleasure in watching Dateline, etc., classic, dramatic, and Hallmark movies, plus the PGA and British Open tournaments. Tiger Woods was her favorite golfer. Iris often took in a stray dog or cat where her menagerie of pets became beloved family members. Iris not only worked at Ritz Dept. Store, but also spent eleven years employed by Castle & Cooke, Inc. in Dole Cannery's fresh fruit division. Both Iris and Warren found time on the weekend to help at her family-owned grocery store, Kalihi Center, at 1716 N. King Street until its closure in 1982. Iris had a sharp mind being able to recall places, people, and past events until the end. She loved solving crossword puzzles in the local newspaper every morning, and she was always delighted to see relatives and friends who stopped by to visit her. Iris was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Warren K.C. Yen; her parents, Margaret Wedemeyer Au and William Sing Au; her siblings, William R. Au, Bernard Au, Norman Au, Winnifred A. Kim, and Wanda A. Miura. Iris is survived by her son, Kerry Yen (Cynthia) of Mililani, HI; daughters, Celeste Yen of Kaneohe, HI and Darcy Yen of Bellevue, WA; grandson, John Yen and great-granddaughter, Ailika Yen of Cheney, WA; Tiger (family cat), cousins, many nieces and nephews, loyal friends and neighbors.
Mahalo to Wilson Home Care and Malama Ola Health Services for their compassionate support given to Iris, Warren, and Ohana. Thank you also to the wonderful volunteers of the St. Ann Church Homebound Ministry and to the Rectory Staff.
A Funeral Mass for Iris and Warren will be held at St. Ann Church, Kaneohe, on March 3rd, 2022, Visitation from 9:00 to 9:25 A.M., Mass from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M., and inurnment to follow at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery at 11:00 A.M.
Arrangements Provided By:
Oahu Mortuary
