Jean Sokwah Ko's Obituary
Jean Ko was born on July 28 1926 in Sun Way District, Kwang Tung Province, China to her parents, Peter Sit and Yuet Ming Ko. She passed away peacefully August 21 2024 in Oakland, California with her family by her side. Her mother raised her alone, while her father returned back to Montreal, Canada to manage the restaurant business before she was born. She developed a strong and independent character even without the love and encouragement from her father.
In 1944 she married Mr. Kow Kin Ko during the Japanese invasion. They fled to escape the atrocity. After Japan surrendered, they settled in Canton at their paternal family property. She decided to be a pediatric nurse and practiced at the Canton City First Children Hospital. She gave birth to children: Walter, Morine, Louise and Maggie.
In 1963, she moved to Hong Kong and worked as a nurse in the Mobile Clinic and Rehabilitation Center until the family immigrated to America under relative’s sponsorship, Wayne and Mary Sit. A year later, Jean's family moved to St Louis, Missouri to help her cousin Dai Hoy Jung in his restaurant. With her husband, Walter and Morine, Jean owned and managed three restaurants.
In 1978 Easter, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized. She was enthusiastic in church activities and decided to close all her businesses on Sundays. The Lord blessed her with abundant grace, and she always gave thanks. When Mr. Ko retired in 1985, Jean and Maggie moved to Oakland Chinatown. She worked till her retirement.
After her retirement, she enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren, daily practice of Tai Chi Gong, and traveled around the world. She volunteered at the Christian Herald Center and was actively involved in CIBC. Friends and relatives were moved by her kindness and hold her in fond memory.
She lived a long life of 98 years, where she experienced war, peace, life, death, ups and downs, joys and sorrows. She gave her children the best opportunities to develop their potential in America. She practiced Jesus's teaching of “love your neighbor as yourself to serve others” and left a legacy of preservation, sacrifice, love and compassion. She was blessed with four children, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. As a tiger mom, she nourished and guided her children in moral wisdom, benevolence and courage to be productive citizens.
In 2024, angels took her home to reunite with Jesus Christ as well as, being reunited with husband, Mr. Ko. Together they can celebrate their 80th wedding anniversary in eternal life. Her legacy will live on through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jean lives on through her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s hearts.
Survived by:
Son: Walter Ko, Daughter-in-law: Lily Lai
Granddaughter Lissan, Grand son-in-law Paul Reifsteck, Great- grandson Johnathan
Grandson Vinfung Ko, Grand daughter-in-law Sarah, Great- granddaughter Karina LaiWah
Daughter Morine Chan, Son-in-law Wilson,
Granddaughter Veronica
Granddaughter Priscilla, Grand son-in-law Calvin, Great- granddaughter Avery and Great-grandson Cameron
Daughter Louise Ko
Daughter Maggie Wong, Son-in-law Warren,
Grandson Jordan
高薛轉大淑華女士生平簡介
高薛轉大淑華 (Jean Ko) 1926 年 7 月 18 日出生於廣東新會，父母為薛華料和高月明 。 由母親獨自撫養長大，因她父親在她出生前，返回加拿大，滿地可管理餐廳。她懷念父親的愛和關懷，養成堅強獨立性格保護她母親,為她出頭。
1944 年日本侵華，她與高球堅先生結婚。 日本投降後，他們定居廣州祖屋,她立志成為兒科護士。 獲文憑後，在廣州市第一兒童醫院工作，並生下孩子：華藹, 美虹，美賢,美琪。
1963 年她搬到香港，與家人相聚，在基督教醫療車,和後來的康復中心工作，直到 1973 年,全家在芝加哥遠親，薛春榮和趙美麗的資助下,移民美國。 一年後，搬到密蘇裡州聖路易斯，幫她表哥趙帶凱的餐館生意。1976 至 1985 年期間，她協助丈夫華藹和美虹，共創辦及擁有
三家餐館。
1978 年復活節，她受洗接受耶穌基督為她個人救主， 決定主日餐館休息，以致她能夠參加崇拜聚會。主祝福她。
1985 年，高先生退休後，搬到了屋崙唐人街。她仍然有魄力工作直到退休。退休後的生活多姿多彩，其一樂趣是照顧兒孫，每天練習太極氣功、到世界各地旅行，經常回國探望親人。此外，積極參與CIBC 的團契、探訪、禱告會等事工，並在角聲中心參與義工。
她的一生，經歷戰爭和平、悲歡離合，憂慮平安, 特別是第一代移民，艱苦適應生活。在她 98 年艱苦卻喜樂的人生， 她沒有怨言，用犧牲的愛教導和滋養,兒女成才,及給予他們美滿人生。 親朋好友都被她的燦爛笑容、和藹可親，慷慨大方，愛神愛人的精神所感動。 她效法主耶穌基督的教導: 愛人如己，非以役人，乃役於人,去服事他人，並留下信望愛和犧牲。 主祝福她兒孫
四代同堂，四位兒女，五位孫，和 4 位曾孫。身為慈愛嚴厲虎媽，她用神的話語及中國文化智仁勇教導下一代，以致他們有豐盛人生。
2024 年，天使迎接她進耶穌基督榮耀懷抱，與闊別十四年的丈夫高先生,在天家重逢，在永生中慶祝結婚八十週年。永遠享受幸福! 孩子們繼承她的基因和火炬，以榮耀她的遺志。她永遠活在孩子們心中。她活出主的誡命，成爲我們的見證和留下美好的回憶，現在主懷安息。我們記念她，直到將來天家相聚。
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