Mary Jung Wong, PhD's Obituary
Mary Jung Wong, PhD
May 28, 1933 – January 14, 2019
Mary “Mee Lei” Jung, 85, passed peacefully on January 14th in in her home in Castro Valley. Predeceased by husband of 44 yrs., Col. Genson Leroy Wong. Mother to Jensen and Stephen (Kristen), grandmother to Davis and Olivia. She is also survived by her sister Dorothy Louie and brother George Jung.
Born in the heart of Chinatown during the depression, Mary was the youngest of six children: Burbank, Lila, Dorothy, George, Lillian, and Mary. Mary was grateful to have older siblings. Everyone took care of each other and her older sisters were very influential in her pursuit of academics.
Mary went to Commodore Stockton, Francisco, Berkeley High and George Washington High School. Then graduated from UC Berkeley. Hired by the Berkeley Unified School District where she taught for 34 years. In 1961, while teaching abroad in Germany, Mary met Genson in Munich. In 1963, they were married. In 1966, while stationed in Hawaii, they had their first son, Jensen. In 1968, their second son, Stephen was born in Oakland, CA where they resided, until moving to Castro Valley in 1986.
An advocate of continued learning, Mary completed her education with Masters and a doctorate in Education. Mary and Genson both enjoyed visits to Reno playing slots and keno. They were world travelers, covering the leaning tower of Piza, the pyramids in Egypt, the Great Wall, and her favorite, Niagra Falls. Mary loved helping others and driven to keep the family close and connected.
Mary’s Celebration of Life – Friday 1/25 at 10 am, Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, CA. Interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery, 5000 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA. Visitation – Thursday night 1/24 from 5-7:30 pm Chapel of the Chimes. Donations in Mary’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or the charity of your choice. Cards may be sent to: 6475 Bellhurst Ct., Castro Valley, CA 94552.
Education:
A. & B.S. University of California, Berkeley 1957
S. California State University Hayward 1977
D. University of San Francisco 1982
Profession:
Berkeley Unified School District 1957-1994
Elementary – Intermediate – Adult School Classroom Teacher
Demonstration Teacher – Model Multicultural Center
Master Teacher for U.C. Berkeley & San Francisco State University Student Teachers
Coordinator – Asian American Studies
Workshop Facilitator – Cultural material curriculum for classroom teachers
Volunteering & Community Work
California Retired Teachers Association (CRTA) / Berkeley Retired Teachers Association (BRTA)
CRTA liaison for Division 49 on activities & all issues (Insurance, membership, legislative, conventions, and awards) 2003-2008
Attended and assisted in planning Area IV Fall Workshops (2003-2012)
Attended and represented Division 49 at CRTA conventions
Composed articles on Health Benefits and Insurance. Updated retirees on local, district, state, and federal issues on premiums and benefits
Organized Division 49 general meetings to keep retires informed on Health Benefits, Options, and Comparison to different health plans
On call to answer health benefits and insurance issues. Resolved many problems working with District Risk Managers and union presidents (2002-2008)
Division 40 President and Co-President. (2002-2008)
Volunteer- Interpreting and writing legal documents, provided transportation for doctor visits, and arranged air and land transportation for immigrants
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
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Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
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