Kwi Ye Brown (Choi), 83, passed away peacefully at home in Vancouver, Washington, on August 20, 2025. Affectionately known by many names, including Mimi, Yobo (honey), Eonni (older sister), Gomo (aunt), and Mom, she was loved by all.
Born in Gwangyang, South Korea, on May 12, 1942, Kwi (pronounced “Key”) was the fourth of six siblings by Woo Yur Choi and Man Yup Lee. She lived through the Korean War as a young child, but focused her memories on the good times. She grew up in the country on a farm and moved to Seoul as a young adult, where she soon met the love of her life. Set up on a blind date, Kwi met a young army GI named Daniel Brown. They married on Aug. 31, 1965, in Seoul, and celebrated on Dan’s army base with a wedding cake made by the mess hall. They lived an incredible life together for nearly 60 years of marriage.
Kwi put her faith in Dan and their marriage by taking the brave and exciting step to move to America and learn a new language. They started their life together in Culver City, California, close to Dan’s family.
Seeking another adventure, they put all their belongings into a ’66 Mustang and took a three-week road trip exploring national parks. They ended in Seattle after running out of gas, but Dan soon got a job with the phone company, and Kwi began learning American culture—she became quite a bowler—and making new friends.
In 1967, Kwi proudly became a U.S. citizen. She and Dan were able to help reunite Kwi’s family in the United States, including her mother and siblings. Her courage in moving across the ocean with her husband gave the gift of opportunity to her family members, all of whom showed endless appreciation for their help, with one brother even naming his only son after Kwi’s husband.
In 1970, Kwi and Dan joyfully welcomed their daughter Sandra. Sandy was the light of Kwi’s life, spoiled with love and anything she wanted. They built a home in Marysville, Washington, raising their daughter surrounded by Kwi’s Korean family. You could count on lots of food, love, and Sandy bossing her younger cousins around at large family gatherings.
Known for her green thumb, Kwi started her own flower nursery in Marysville called Key’s Nursery. She grew the most beautiful hanging baskets, especially fuchsias, and would love chatting with customers on how to take care of them. Mother’s Day weekend was her busiest and best time of the year, with Sandy and Dan there to help with sales and then celebrate her birthday after the nursery closed.
Her best job though was that of grandma. Kwi, known as “Mimi,” loved to take care of her grandchildren, Mason and Josie. She was there in the hospital room when each of them was born, and she cared for them several days a week when they lived in Seattle. When the grandkids later moved to Nebraska, Mimi always kept her bond strong with them through regular visits, phone calls, and lots of food. One of Mason’s and Josie’s favorite meals was Mimi’s tofu soup. Kwi’s love language was making delicious food for her family and friends. She filled her life with love, adventure, and family, and she will be deeply missed by all.
Kwi was preceded in death by her father Woo Yur Choi and mother Man Yup Lee; brother Sun Sik Choi; and sisters Soon Shim Choi and Woo Shim Pak.
Kwi is survived by her loving husband, Daniel; only child, Sandy Brown (Matthew Ley) of Wayne, Nebraska; adoring grandchildren Mason and Josie; brother Sun Dong (Jay Kum) Choi and sister Soon Ja (Byung) Park; sister-in-law Wan Choi; nieces Mee-Na (Kevin) Hwang, Eun Young (OP) Park, Anna (Jeong) Jang, Deana Choi (Chris Kim), Grace Choi, and JuYong (Joe) Moon; nephews Daniel (Jung Hyun) Choi and Hyun Suk Chung; and many beloved grandnieces and grandnephews.
Per Kwi’s wishes, no public memorial is planned. Instead, she was honored at a Celebration of Life held for family at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Everett, Washington, on Aug. 30, 2025.
