Chung May Cho

Chung May Cho was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and caring friend. She will be missed dearly by her daughters, Florence Cho-Velasco (Jason Velasco), and Lisa Cho (Erik Dresner); and her treasured grandson, Joseph Cho Velasco. After a valiant battle, she died peacefully on October 16, 2025 surrounded by her loved ones and the violin music of her grandson. She was reunited with her husband of 50 years, Nils Kwok Cho, who passed away 10 months prior. He would have greeted her by asking, "what took you so long?" They're now together again, sharing more adventures.
Better known as May by her friends, she was tiny but mighty. While she was often soft spoken and shy, her daughters knew she was a force of nature. She would always stand up for what was right, and she was stubborn when faced with adversity. They learned from her that anything was possible if you are ready to fight for what you believed in.
May was one of the kindest and most selfless people you could ever meet. As a young girl growing up in Shanghai, China, she would save what little she had for lunch to give to someone less fortunate. Never having much in the way of disposable income, she'd sacrifice so she could make donations to charities and quietly help friends. She raised her daughters with that same compassion, teaching them to be respectful, kind, and to put others first.
She had a special rapport with children, sharing smiles with babies on the subway and making sure the neighborhood children were well supplied at Halloween. When her young nephew wanted to ride on Space Mountain and none of the other adults were brave enough, she volunteered even though she was barely tall enough. It was her first and last roller coaster ride, but one neither she nor her nephew would ever forget.
May was smart, funny, silly, creative and stronger than she ever gave herself credit for. Humble to a fault, she was endlessly talented. She taught herself to knit and crochet, making beautiful sweaters, baby blankets, scarves, hats and purses that she loved to give away to friends and people in need. While she was reserved in public, in private she could be playful and goofy. She became skilled at Pac-Man just to play with her daughters, and even took on Super Mario (though it made her dizzy) so she could spend more time with her grandson. She had an unexpectedly formidable talent at ping pong and always had room for vanilla soft serve in a cone.
She was also a wonderful cook who never used recipes, preferring to cook from the heart. She perfected her family's favorite recipes - even those she never tasted because of her dislike of onions and garlic. Her green thumb was legendary. At one point, she cared for over a hundred plants, many bigger than she was. She patiently moved and rotated them throughout the day for optimal sunlight, kept them watered and pruned, repotted them into larger pots, and talked to them regularly. Her kryptonite was succulents because she couldn't seem to grasp just leaving them be, she loved and worried too much. This was true about everything and everybody in her life.
May's work ethic was unparalleled. She would keep her house spotlessly clean, provided nutritious, home cooked meals for the family, all while working multiple jobs cleaning commercial buildings as well as personal homes. She never complained about the long, arduous hours because she wanted to provide a better future for her children–even working 16 hour days at one point.
Though she never had the opportunity to pursue higher education herself, she took great pride in raising two daughters who not only went to college, but respectively earned a Doctorate of Dental Surgery and a Master's degree. She was also so proud of her grandson, attending every violin recital and awards ceremony she could. Quick with numbers, she kept control of the household budget, keeping precise records and ensuring all bills were always paid in full and on time. She shocked her husband when he realized she had saved enough for them to purchase an apartment of their own. It was the first home they owned and he gave her all the credit for making that possible.
A nurturer all her life, she supported her husband through his fight with esophageal cancer, even while she was undergoing her own battle with lung cancer. She insisted on being as independent as possible throughout her illness, fretting about her family's well-being even while her own health declined. Her last moments were peaceful, knowing her family was together and safe. Her legacy of good work and kindness will continue to make ripples through time with all the lives she touched with her smiles, friendly waves and gifts.
The family will receive friends at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Avenue in Bethel, CT on Tuesday, Oct 21 between the hours of 1:00 – 3:00pm. A private burial will follow the next day.