Born in Seoul, South Korea during the period of Japanese occupation, Yung Sook graduated from the prestigious Seoul Women's Medical College (now Korea University College of Medicine). Early in her career, during the Korean War, she served as both physician and interpreter at a U.S. military field hospital off the coast of Busan. After the war, she made the courageous decision to come to the United States alone to continue her medical training. She completed her internship at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and her residency in anesthesiology at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts-at a time when very few women were in the field. She went on to build a distinguished 40-year career in the Boston, MA and Hartford, CT areas, where she was known for her skill, compassion, and dedication to her patients.

Yung Sook raised two daughters, on whom she had a profound and lasting impact through her fierce belief that women should be strong, independent, and well educated. She shared with them her deep love of classical music and, throughout her life, remained closely connected to the Korean community, finding enduring joy in her church family.

In her 70s, she once again demonstrated her independence by moving to Las Vegas. There, she returned to the piano and, in a moment of serendipity, met a piano teacher who became her cherished companion. They shared more than 15 years together.

In September 2025, she was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. She met this final chapter as she lived her life-with courage, dignity, and quiet resolve.

Yung Sook will be profoundly missed by her daughters, family, and all who knew her.

She is survived by her brother, Frank Sohn of Pennsylvania; her two daughters, Dr. Susan Ryu (Michael Gaynon) of California, and Marilee Moy (Wayne Thompson) of California; four grandchildren, Dr. Lisa Gaynon (Andrea Germiniasi) of California; Laura Gaynon (Rob Lindquist) of California; Hunter Li Thompson of California; and Ava Thompson of California; one niece, Hilary Sohn (Michael Brassell) of Pennsylvania; and two great-grandchildren, Penelope Lindquist and Emma Germiniasi.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to the Las Vegas Korean Community Church at 6610 W. Katie Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103.

Memorial services are private.