Kwang Soon Lee was born in 1941 in Buchon, South Korea. The beloved mother of four, she passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at her home surrounded by her children. She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Un Soo Lee - a month shy of Mr. Lee’s tenth death anniversary.
Kwang Soon’s spiritual understanding of life was informed by growing up on her family’s peach farm. From a young age, she worked diligently in the fields and cooked for farm hands. At age 25, Kwang Soon, a country girl, married a city boy, Un Soo Lee, residing in close proximity to her husband’s extensive family in the capital city of Seoul.
In 1974, they immigrated with the extended family to Southeast Philadelphia. With the intention to create a prosperous life, the couple went to work! Like the shining gem she was, Kwang Soon’s first job was as a jewelry maker in the historic Jewelers’ Row. After several job changes and driven by their entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. & Mrs. Lee became the owner and operator of Parklynn Cleaners, a dry-cleaning business. They were a staple of the Korean-American Delaware community, economically and socially for the next 31 years. Mrs. Lee worked the front of the house, where she was a seamstress, welcoming presence, and frequent confidante. She was often surrounded by her children who all contributed to the work.
Kwang Soon was inspired by people, plants, food, and learning. She delighted in gentle walks in nature; her awe and enthusiasm of nature, especially flowers, was infectious! In her rare time not working–the couple worked close to 80 hours a week–she spent with family and friends, regularly hosting large dinner parties, plates overflowing with homemade Korean dishes. Occasionally, she and her husband found opportunities to travel - the Caribbean, Europe, and throughout the United States, always travelling with their tight-knit friends, who also danced and sang karaoke together.
She is survived by her sister, In Soon, her four children, Sung Uni, Jennifer, Nim and her husband, Phillip Pond, David and his wife, Mira, and 4 grandchildren, Masai, Kiki, Connor, and Brandon, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2026 from 10 am-12 pm at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3710 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19808. A service will begin at noon. Burial will be private on the following day.
To plant trees in memory and send online condolences please visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
