Hye Ran Romero

Hye Ran (Helen) Romero, age 86, of Tacoma, Washington passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.  Hye Ran was born on November 12, 1937, in Kunsan City, Korea.  She lived with her family in the rural outskirts of the city where as a young girl she experienced the stark realities of life under foreign occupation.  During this time, she and her family experienced many hardships including the loss of loved ones.  In the face of the harsh occupation, she dedicated herself to learning, often studying by candlelight late into the night.  She excelled in school and was awarded a university scholarship. She did well in college and graduated in the top of her class.

After graduation, she returned home to care for the unfortunate.  She managed an orphanage for poor lost children. She took care of them, taught them, and loved them. While managing the orphanage she crossed paths with a young United States Air Force Corpman, Felipe Romero. He was smitten by her beauty and kindness.  She was impressed by his generosity and hard work.

They married in 1962 and began a family. They lived a typical military life, moving around the United States wherever they were stationed. They moved from coast to coast, Florida to California, before finally settling down in the Pacific Northwest. Felipe retired from the Air Force and began a second career as a commercial truck driver. Hye Ran continued caring for the less fortunate working at Western State Hospital.  She managed the Food Service department making sure the patients (and co-workers) were well fed.  To her, food meant security, caring and health. And she loved to cook, to learn new recipes, and serve good food to friends and family. To her, food was love. 

She was the most selfless person, putting the needs of others before her own.  She constantly worried about loved ones, wanting to nurture them, keep them from harm, protect them from pain.  Forever giving much of herself and asking for so little in return. She led a simple life of self-sacrifice.  She was admired, respected and loved by her family, friends, church and community. 

She was strong.  She was brave. She was kind. She was generous. She was loving. 

And she was loved.

She passed away in the company of her loving family.

She will forever be missed.

She is survived by her daughters Kristeen, Yun Neam, and Cindy; sons Mel and Bob; grandchildren Lisa, Salina, Mel Jr., Delaney, Joelle, Mina, Dalisa and Alexis; and great-grandchildren Madisyn, Taytum, Koa, Novalee, Amelia, Dakota, Oliver, Lucy, VJ, Donte, Umera and Violet.

A memorial will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Weeks Dryer Mortuary in Spanaway, Washington.

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