-Conflict: Source, tombstone has her born 29 Sep 1887790, & Source figures her to be born 1889255,595 (I tend to believe tombstone)
1098-In the 1920 Census it has her at 31 yrs. old, Single, able to read & write, able to speak English, occupation - None
255,595
-Rebekah En Yin Lyau aka "Ah-Yi" to us in our household.
Our family arranged for the spelling on her gravestone. According to Dorcas, our mom, it is the proper biblical spelling she preferred, (rather then "Rebecca.")
As Dorcas explained to us, Mary, En Oi's 2nd wife, verbally mistreated Ah-yi, herself, and Ruth. Both Ruth and Dorcas often recalled how unpleasant life was with Mary's temperment and demeanor toward them. As result, Dorcas, upon her marriage to Richard, took in Ahyi in/about 1940, who lived within their household. As result, Ahyi literally along with our parents, raised my siblings and myself.
Ahyi was a VERY giving, yet, shy person. She was a very hard worker, still from the plantation era, with a green thumb, always active in the garden. She was a cancer survivor - I believe she had a bout with colon cancer at an early age. Ahyi loved to sew, making us shirts, dresses, and hand-stitched quilts from the remaining material. (I still use and cherish my quilt!) She would patiently pick koa seeds around the neighborhood, and make BEAUTIFUL koa seed pins and leis which she would sometimes sell for spending money. Ahyi was always a part of all family functions and gatherings and in all our family photos. I will ask Gwen to send you a photo of her. All of us miss her old family style cooking - which we all now realize is a long lost treasure we never asked to learn from her.
In / about 1977, Ahyi injured herself (I believe it was her back) lifting a rock in her garden. At the same time, my father, Richard, was experiencing his health challenges with a series of strokes and ongoing rehabilitation. This was too much for Dorcas to handle, with my siblings now out of the house, with exception of myself starting college. It saddened us all to move Ahyi to Palolo Chinese Home in/about 1977. She appeared to adjust quite well, despite her shyness, with a new circle of social opportunities. She was happy whenever I visited her, and I am sure my sibling would say the same. Her eventual demise was attributed to a massive heart attack. She hung in there for just short of a week, as we all visited her at St. Francis hospital, hoping her usual toughness would again prevail, contrary to her Dr's prognosis. My mother Dorcas does not cry very often. At Ahyi's burial, I will always remember how tough she took her loss.
1095
-Services: Old time member of Kaimuki Christian Church. Funeral arrangements by Borthwick Mortuary
1094