Fay Wong

Fay Gin Mah Wong, a great lady of indomitable spirit, passed away peacefully March 21, 2009, after a brief stay in the hospital. She celebrated 99 years of healthy life last November.

Fay was born in Chong Kai Li, Toisan, China, and came to San Francisco by way of Idaho Falls, Idaho. She and her husband, Sam, established the Bonneville Restaurant and ran it for more than 50 years within a community of relatives and close friends. Fay loved her life in Idaho but reluctantly retired to San Francisco, where her husband and she made a new life for themselves.

For the better part of a decade, she became known affectionately as "Lo Wong Mo" wherever she went. Although her time in San Francisco was relatively short, she leaves behind a lifetime of love among those she cared for and who loved her deeply.

Fay was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Wong, and her daughter, Susan Wong Yee. She is survived by her sister, Fong Gin Gee; cousins, Peter (June) Wong and May (Ken) Wong; sons, Ted Wong and Ray (Pam) Wong; grandchildren, Edwin (Carol) Yee, Calvin (Reagan) Yee, Janet Yee, Linda (Ken) Sell, Michael (Lauren) Wong, Emily Wong, Elizabeth Wong and Elena Wong; great-grandchildren, Jonathan Yee, Christopher Yee, Stephen Yee, Harrison Sell, Preston Yee, Harper Yee, Tyler Wong, Brandon Wong and Ella Grace Wong; and a host of other relatives and loved ones who have made her life meaningful.

Visitation for friends and family will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Green Street Mortuary, 649 Green St. in San Francisco, Calif. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. today, March 27, also at Green Street Mortuary, with interment to follow.