Hung Fong Wye's Obituary
Hung Fong Wong Wye, age 90, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 18, at home in Oakland, California. She was born on August 29, 1932, in Guangdong, China to Giu Lan Ma and Young Suey Wong. She was the only daughter of five siblings. Hung Fong helped around the house very early on in her life including taking care of her three younger brothers. She was a devoted daughter and sister. She often wore her youngest brother on her back while completing chores.
In 1958, as a young woman, she left her village for Hong Kong to better her life. Her first job was as a seamstress specializing in embroidery. Hung Fong was introduced to Charles B. Wye through a mutual friend. They married in 1966 and made their way to the United State to build their life together in Oakland. They completed their family with the birth of their daughter Suzanne, her only child. Hung Fong and Charlie remained together for 42 years until his passing in 2008. Hung Fong worked many jobs in both Oakland and San Francisco Chinatowns. She was a seamstress, dim sum cart server at Tin's Tea House and later a school cafeteria worker in various Oakland Public Schools. Her hobbies included gardening, knitting, sewing her own clothes, collecting commemorative quarters, and talking for hours on the phone particularly with her friend Helen.
After she retired, she enjoyed going to Oakland Chinatown to shop, attend church, and spend time with her friends. She helped raise her two grandchildren. She was a doting grandmother taking her grandchildren on bus excursions to eat Chinese comfort food and attend festivals. She also enjoyed going shopping and to the Oakland Zoo with her family. Hung Fong is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Wye, granddaughter Sophie Ramos, and grandson, Charlie Ramos, as well as her siblings, Seit Poi Wong and Seit Foo Wong, many nieces, nephews, and loved ones. Her strong, independent spirit lives on through them all.
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