Ginger Wong

Our mom, Ginger F. Wong, was born in Toishan County, China on January 27, 1934 and laid her head down to rest on the morning of May 18, 2020. She immigrated to the United States in 1951 and settled in San Francisco with her dad. Years later mom met our late father, Robert, fell in love and had three kids - Melvin, Cindy and Carol. They made a home for us in Alameda and that is where mom spent the last 55 years of her colorful life.

Mom is survived by her children Melvin Wong, Cindy Vito Cruz and Carol McCauley, sons-in-law Edmundo Vito Cruz and Terry McCauley, former daughter-in-law Tami Rush, grandchildren Brandon Wong and Ashtynn Lawson, sister Gim Lai, brothers-in-law Lou Wong, Lat Wong and Gat Wong, sisters-in-law Jane Wong, Julie Wong, June Wong and Betty Akashi. Mom also leaves behind many nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces and friends.

Mom joins in heaven her devoted husband Robert, her beloved father Bing Hay Wong, her cherished mother Lee Chai Yee, stepmother Wei Ling Wong, brothers Benton Wong, Roger Wong, and Roy Wong, sister Gim Gee, sisters-in-law Li Keng Wong and Margaret Wong, brothers-in-law Tom Akashi, Chiu Yuen Sum and Li Chang Ci. She will also be able to see our family pets Tiger, Hopsy, Sprite, Tabby, Sire and my cats Chibo and Jersey.

Mom had many passions in life including cooking, gardening, sewing, walking, knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching and shopping especially at Trader Joe’s.

She loved cooking feasts for her friends and family - there were always leftovers to take home and enjoy the following day. They were delicious meals but difficult to replicate as there were no written recipes to follow - “a little bit of this and some of that”. Mom had two green thumbs nurturing her beautiful garden and orchids. She would spend hours each day tending to her plants, vegetable patches and fruit trees. If your clothing needed mending, a hem shortened, new curtains - mom was there to lend a hand. She was also the neighborhood seamstress and made a few bucks on the side. If you couldn’t reach mom on her cellphone Monday through Friday and football Sundays around noon, you could find her walking home along Shoreline Drive with something purchased at the shopping center. Mom’s house was full of framed family photos, embroidered pictures, cross-stitch towels and knick-knacks of all kinds. She loved her “cute stuff”.

The family would like to thank mom’s devoted caregivers Nida Wagner and Elvie Calabia, her senior group Extending Connections especially Jo Takata and her sisters for opening their arms to many friends and adventures (favorites were any casino and Japan town), Mah Jong ladies especially Mabel, and longtime family friend Maxine.

Mom had a full life. Let’s honor her with fond memories of happy gatherings and full bellies. We will get together in the future to celebrate Mom with laughs, crazy stories, hugs, scrumptious food. Stay safe, healthy and happy.

Poem written by Terry McCauley

Hear my prayer for me it is not …

I pray for someone that I love a lot.

Dearest Lord I ask of thee …

Keep my mother safe for me.

As I sleep and rest tonight …

Keep her close and hold her tight.

For mothers are special and full of love …

They must be sent from heaven above.

A mother’s love is very strong …

It fuels my soul all day long.

Like stars in the heavens that shine so bright …

Please o’Lord hear my prayer tonight.

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