Kathleen Hsu Jeong's Obituary
Kathleen Hsu Jeong, 70, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 10, 2013 in Redwood Shores. Born on February 13, 1943, in Los Angeles, the only child of Shao-Chang Hsu, a diplomat, and Grace Ten Hsu, a scientist, she spent her youth traveling the world with her parents, living in such countries as Iran, Burma, Korea and Taiwan before graduating from high school in Washington, DC. Kathy attended Sweet Briar College, earned her masters degree in biology from UCLA, and her PhD in parasitology from UC Berkeley. She had a fascinating career studying parasites, and then moved into the biotech industry, where she retired in 2003. Kathy was married to Dr. Gary Jeong for more than three decades and resided for most of that time in Oakland, CA.
Kathy was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend, and will be remembered for her warm heart and bright mind. She enjoyed poetry and music, and loved sharing fine wines and good food with friends and family. She was deeply interested in the different cultures of the world and from a young age, she taught her children the importance of writing and the enjoyment of travel.
Kathy was active in numerous school and community service efforts in Oakland and the surrounding East Bay. She was a humble person who worked hard to improve the lives of others. After she retired, Kathy found the most pleasure in her children and grandchildren, but she still found time to keep exploring—from belly dancing lessons to new cuisines to faraway trips.
Kathy is survived by her two children, Dr. Matthew Jeong (Veronica) and Genevieve Bennett (Christian); four adoring grandsons, Ronan, Callum, Christopher, and Finn; an uncle and aunt, Shao-Ben and Lucy Hsu; and numerous loving members of the Jeong and Ten families. She will be missed tremendously.
There will be a visitation Friday, December 20, 4:00 – 7:00pm at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, CA. The funeral service will be held Saturday, December 21, 10:00am at the same location. Loved ones are welcome to make flower donations or donations made in Kathy’s name to the charity of your choice.
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