Katherine Fong's Obituary
Katherine (Katie) Fong, aged 86, of Sunnyvale, CA died at home on January 16, 2012 of cancer complications.She was born February 28, 1925 in Canton, China. She will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother and friend. She married Quong Fong on August 1, 1947.Katie was a war bride. While serving in the navy, in 1947 Quong took 3 months leave to return to China, his birthplace, to meet his bride whom elders of his South China village had chosen. Immediately after their marriage, Katie boarded a naval carrier solo for a 30 day ocean voyage to the US. Katie didn't speak any English and there were no Chinese in her first US home of Newport, Rhode Island naval base. Her first child, Stan, had the distinction of being the first Chinese baby to be delivered at the naval hospital. A year later her first daughter, Helen, was born. The new Fong family established themselves in San Francisco where Katie became active with the Methodist church in Chinatown, learning English and studying to be a US citizen. She was naturalized in 1957. While her husband was away on active duty, Katie worked long hours for clothing sweatshops, a typical job for many Chinese woman immigrants. She gave birth to two additional children, Connie and James, during her San Francisco days. Upon Quong's retirement from the US Navy in 1962, they purchased a grocery store in Sunnyvale, As their home was attached to the back of the business, the building became the center of family activity. They operated the store for 25 years until their retirement due to Quong's ill health. Katie lovingly cared for her husband until she became a widow in 1988, after 41 years of marriage.Katie was able to enjoy many of her favorite activities during her retirement years that included spending time with friends and family, cooking, gardening and traveling. She was proud and thankful for a lot of things; wife to Quong, mother and grandmother, US Citizenship and having loving and caring family and friends. Katie is survived by two sons: Stan Fong and James (Celeste) Fong, two daughters: Helen (Tom) Brugger and Connie (Bruce) Mahood, and four grandchildren: Alexander and Katia Fong, Melissa and Dylan Mahood. Also her four brothers: Kwan Sze Cheng, Dee Kwong (Peter) Quon, Kwan Chi Wing and Kwan Chi Leung and many nieces and nephews.A viewing and memorial service will be held Sunday, January 29 at 10:00 am at Skylawn, Route 35 at Highway 92, San Mateo, CA.
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