Florence Sue Wong's Obituary
Florence Sue Wong
July 1, 1933 – October 18, 2017
Florence Sue Wong passed away after a long illness with her children by her side. Flo
was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, George S. Wong MD, as well as her
brothers, Edward and Andrew, and her sisters, Nancy, Laura, and Connie. She is survived
by her adopted brother, William Lee (Nancy), and her sister-in-law, Nellie Young. Flo
also is survived by her 4 children, Vansen Wong (Holly), Susie Mielke (Neal), Lori Zabel
(Karl), Georgette Wong Beadnall (Charles) and 10 grandchildren, Brian, Anne, Gray,
Stacey, Bradley, Ted, Reed, Lark, Emmett and Lillie. She leaves behind numerous
nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, great-grandnephews and greatgrandnieces.
Flo was the youngest of six siblings in the close-knit family of Ng Shee and Chin Mon
Wah (also known as Young Ah Fook), who owned the famous Kuo Wah Restaurant and
Lion’s Den nightclub on Grant Avenue in San Francisco Chinatown. She graduated from
Oakland High School and was the first girl in her family to attend college, studying
chemistry at Mills College. As her husband’s medical practice grew, her family moved to
Castro Valley and later Piedmont. In Castro Valley, her children were among the few
children of color and often teased. Flo wanted her children to be proud of their Chinese
heritage and volunteered at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco to learn more about
Chinese culture and history. Due to her friendly, lively personality and fundraising
abilities, her volunteer career quickly took off. She became a Trustee of the Fine Arts
Museum of San Francisco in 1979, making her the first Asian-American trustee of a
major museum board in the US. She subsequently became a board member of many
local non-profits, including the Berkeley Art Museum, Chinese Culture Foundation, Fort
Mason Foundation, Oakland Art Museum, and UCSF Foundation. Flo was one of 78
noted San Franciscans featured by artist Elaine Badgley Arnoux in The People of San
Francisco: Lives of Accomplishment (2001). Through her volunteer work, Flo made
lifelong friends whom she treasured.
Flo loved being part of the San Francisco scene, enjoying drag queen shows south of
Market as much as glamorous fundraisers in Pacific Heights. She knew where to find the
freshest fish in Chinatown and the trendiest designers in Union Square. Flo traveled the
world as part of her trustee responsibilities, going to New York, the Vatican, Taiwan, and
China. At home, she collected art, entertained frequently, and cooked 2 dinners every
night, American food for her children and Chinese food for her husband. Above all, she
took great pride in her grandchildren and was an active part of their lives, even during
her lengthy illness. Flo was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and is greatly
missed. A private celebration of Flo’s life for family and friends is being planned.
Thoughts to the family are welcome at [email protected]. Gifts in her memory
may be made to the Education Department of the Fine Arts Museum (Director of
Education, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, deYoung Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea
Garden Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118).
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