Isabel Vargas

Isabel Wong Vargas 1922-2010 A Resident of Emeryville, Isabel passed away on October 12th after a short illness surrounded by her family. She was born in Peru of Chinese Peruvian ancestry and lived in Peru, China and in California. Isabel triumphed over the vicissitudes of life, surviving severe hardships in her youth and becoming an example of strength and endurance of the human spirit. She was snatched from her loving maternal grandmother and thrown into a hostile environment in China. She spent World War II in Guangzhou in severe deprivation under the occupation. In spite of her difficult early life, she retained a big and generous heart. Isabel was a successful businesswoman. Her restaurant, La Caleta in Lima, received various gastronomic awards, among them listing as the Best Seafood restaurant in Lima by Pan Am's World Guide in the 1990's. Education remained paramount. Though a single mother, she sent all five of her children to study at U.S. universities. In addition, she continued studying to be a designer after her children left for college, and won prizes for her work. For her leadership and philanthropy, Isabel was appointed Honorary Consul of Peru to San Francisco, a position she held for over 25 years. The Bancroft Library at the University of California in Berkeley honored her in 1989 with an oral history of her life titled "Business, Family and Personal Philanthropy in Peru, China and the United States". It is also available at the Catholic University in Lima, online and through Amazon. Isabel was active in various Peruvian groups and other civic and philanthropic groups in California, including membership in the Lions Club and serving on the board of the group Ladies of the San Francisco Consular Corps. She also served as Commissioner for the Disabled. Among her many honors, Isabel received the Peruvian Decoration of the Order of Merit for distinguished service in 1998. The Municipality of Lima awarded her a medal as an outstanding citizen of Chinese ancestry in 2009. Last month, the Peruvian Congress awarded her its highly prized Medal of Honor, with the rank of Officer. Isabel is survived by her children, Martha Sam Hertelendy, Dr. Michael Sam Vargas, Ines Vargas Fraenkel, Lita Sam Vargas, Susana Sam Vargas and grandchildren Glen, Ann and Ralph Hertelendy, Jonathan and Christopher Sam Vargas, Nathan and Julia Fraenkel, Isanne and Alexandra Gatellier. Other family members include Paul Hertelendy, Alan Gevins and Fernanda Arraes Hertelendy. Isabel supported many causes, but her main concern was in helping others. The family suggests that donations in her memory go to the charity of the donor's choice. The Peruvian community will offer a mass in Isabel's memory on Friday, November 12th at 7 PM at Corpus Christi Church, 62 Santa Rosa Ave, San Francisco.