Rhyoung Mee Cho

Rhyoung Mee Cho, 78, of Sanford, Maine, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on January 16, 1948, in South Korea, Rhyoung came to Maine in 1982. She immigrated to the United States to marry her husband of 44 years, Bok Cho, and became a cherished member of the Sanford community.

A devout Christian and proud Korean, Rhyoung carried with her the traditions, resilience, and warmth of her heritage. She will be remembered for her caring spirit, quiet strength, unwavering faith, and unconditional love for family and friends.

Teaching and music were among Rhyoung’s greatest passions. In South Korea, she worked as a piano teacher, music teacher, and junior high school teacher. After coming to America, she continued her calling at Waban School, where she taught children with disabilities. She loved helping children learn and grow and found great joy in encouraging those in her care.

A gifted pianist, Rhyoung faithfully played piano at church and cherished opportunities to play and sing with her children. Music was a lifelong expression of her faith and a source of joy for her family.

Rhyoung also found great happiness in gardening and caring for animals. She took great pride in cultivating beautiful flowers and plants, loved sharing these with friends and family, and found joy in helping others create gardens of their own. A lifelong animal lover, she always had dogs by her side and treasured the companionship, loyalty, and joy they brought to her life. She also enjoyed preparing Korean meals for family and friends and took immense pride in her children and grandchildren.

Rhyoung touched countless lives through her faith, kindness, music, teaching, and devotion to family.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Bok Kyung Cho, her children, Yohan Cho (Besa) of Boston, MA, Sarah Payeur (Randy) of Sanford, Hyun Stephen Cho (Debbie) of Hopkinton, MA, and SuJin Cho (John Bauer) of Greenwich, CT; her seven cherished grandchildren, Henry, Evie, Ally, Gavin, Connor, Lauren, Ian and Dylan; and her sister, Young-In Kim, and family in South Korea. She was predeceased by an older son, Yu-Sung John Cho, and her parents, Jung Hwa Lee and Myoung Jong Park.

A memorial service will be held at North Parish Congregational Church on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. with burial services at Oakdale Cemetary and reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Rhyoung’s honor may be made to Hospice of Southern Maine or Blood Cancer United.