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On Sunday, July 19th, Leong (Yau Yee) Louie passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Bayhealth Hospital. Born on May 2, 1927, in Canton, China to Leung Nin Shing and his wife, Young See. Leong was their third daughter and was followed by 2 younger brothers. (She had three other siblings that either did not survive birth or were killed by the invading Japanese forces.) When Leong reached the age of 20, a man twice her age, named Harry Louie returned to the village looking for a wife to take back to the United States with him. Although she was initially wary because he kept following her around their village, she later agreed to marry Harry Louie.
Leong and Harry married in 1948 before moving to Easton, Maryland to work in the family dry cleaning business. A year later, in 1949, Leong and Harry moved to Dover, Delaware where they opened Harry Louie Laundry and Dry Cleaning. Their business was originally located at 143 South Governors Ave. When the landlord threatened to raise their rent, they moved a few doors north to 129 South Governors Ave. where they invested their savings into their own building and land. In 1951, their first child, a daughter, was born. Over the next few years 2 more children would follow, both boys. Leong continued to work in the family business until the age of 95. The laundry is currently owned and operated by her eldest son David Louie
Leong was preceded in death by her husband Harry Louie of 44 years, her parents, her 2 sisters, brother and son-in-law, Theodore Street. Leong was survived by her children – May Street; David (Era) Louie; Dr. Lawrence (Deborah) Louie. Grandchildren – Amanda (William) Davis; Joshua Louie; Dr. Phillip (Dr. Sara Bevan) Louie; Dr. Melissa (Monica) Louie and Angel Louie. Great Grand-Children – Jade Feusner; Preston Louie; Tucker Louie and Ollie Louie. Brother – Wing Leung and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 11:00am – 12:00pm at Torbert’s Funeral Chapels – 1145 E. Lebanon Rd., Dover DE 19901. Followed by a graveside service in Odd Fellows Cemetery – 35 Rising Sun Road, Camden, DE 19934
Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com
