Esther Woo Quan

1925 - 2025

Esther Woo Quan
06/29/1925 - 06/15/2025
Esther Woo Quan went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 15, 2025, fittingly on what would have been her 78th wedding anniversary with her beloved husband, William (Bill) K.Y. Quan. She was 99 years old.
Born on June 29, 1925, in Augusta, Georgia, Esther was the third of eight children born to Leong Tong Woo and Dear See. As a young teenager, she moved to San Antonio to live with her older sister. It was during this time that she began exchanging letters with a young serviceman stationed with the post-World War II occupation forces in Germany-William Quan. Their letter-writing blossomed into a lifelong love, and they were married in 1947 after his return to the United States.
In 1951, Esther and Bill moved to Houston, Texas, where they built a life rooted in faith, family, and service. Together, they established and ran Eastern Food Market in the Magnolia Park neighborhood for 32 years. More than just a business, the store was a light in the community -employing local youth, extending charity through holiday food boxes, and serving as a beacon of hospitality and generosity.
Esther was a tireless servant, both in spirit and in action. A founding member of Chinese Baptist Church in 1953, she served faithfully for decades-folding bulletins and joyfully caroling with her Sunday School class at local senior homes. She volunteered for years at KHCB Christian Radio and participated in mission trips that took her as far as Venezuela. Her hospitality knew no bounds-she hosted student lunches through the Baptist Student Union and welcomed countless guests into her home over the years with a warm meal and open heart.
Her life was anchored by her faith and lived in obedience to Mark 12:30–31: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength... and love your neighbor as yourself." She passed that faith to her children, raising them with discipline, joy, and a strong foundation of belief and service.
Esther's greatest joy was spending time with her family. Her signature Rainbow Jell-O dish was always a big hit at family gatherings, especially among her grandchildren. She took pride in the legacy she and Bill built-ensuring that their five children had opportunities for education and success through hard work and sacrifice.
Esther was preceded in death by her husband, William Quan, and daughter-in-law, Sylvia Quan. She is survived by her sisters, Daisy Brazzeal and Leona Keck; her five children; eight grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren:
son, Gordon Quan and his daughters, Caroline Quan Long and her husband, Patrick and children Victoria and Katia, Kristen Quan Hammill and her husband, Hunter and children Dashiell, Harper and Axel and Katherine Ahmann and her husband Nathan and children Josephine and Bruce; Daughter, Wanda Choi and her husband, Gene, their sons, Jonathan Choi and his wife Elaine Olivares and children Gwyneth and Elon, Matthew Choi and his wife Justine Lee and children Elroy and Ripley, and Mark Choi and his wife Chrissy Lu; Daughter, Beverly "Jeanie" Gor and her husband, Edmond, their daughter, Rachel Pun and husband Ben and children Haley, Austin and Abigail; son, Rick Quan; son, David Quan and his wife, Rachel, and their son, Nathaniel "Nate" Quan.
Esther leaves behind a legacy of quiet strength, faithful service, and unwavering love. She will be deeply missed and joyfully remembered. The faith that shaped her life now lives on in the generations she nurtured.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 26, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, June 28, at 11:00 AM at Chinese Baptist Church, 900 Brogden Road, with a luncheon reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chinese Baptist Church, 900 Brogden Road, Houston, TX 77024 or HOPE Clinic, 13930 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77083.