Dorothy Ang Gek Wong

Dorothy A. Wong was born October 28, 1929, in Singapore. She was the fun loving eldest of her siblings. She helped her family survive Japanese occupation as a child by learning Japanese so she could become a messenger for their army, gaining their trust and gathering information she could use to help keep her family safe. Her strong Catholic faith enabled her to persevere and be an example for others. As a young adult she attended nursing school and worked in hospitals nursing and caring for others. After the war she met the love of her life, George Y.K. Wong and they married in 1955 after a long courtship. George and Dorothy were blessed with three daughters: Marina, Regina, and Sabrina. They lived in many countries in South East Asia because of George’s work as a civil engineer. They had many exciting adventures from encountering head-hunters in the jungle to riding boats through crocodile infested rivers. They decided to move to the US (Dallas, Texas) for better opportunities and to join George’s sister Irene and her family. They, along with George’s other siblings opened South China Restaurant on Mockingbird Lane, the first restaurant in Texas to serve Hong Kong style dim sum. Later George and Dorothy opened the Fortune Cookie restaurant on Mockingbird Ln. They ran this establishment with their children till they sold the business in 1977.

Dorothy, with her keen and intuitive ability to make people feel special worked as an Executive House Keeper for over 15 years at the Fairmont Hotel. She took management and interior decorating classes to continuously adapt her skill set. She then worked at the Adolphus Hotel and Parkland Hospital until she returned to the Fairmont where she retired from her long career. At her retirement party she was given a lifetime award to commemorate years of her exceptional service in the hospitality industry. She was considered the house mom to so many, imparting her wisdom, love, strength and sense of humor. She was always admired for her generosity, kindness, and charismatic personality. She had a heart of gold and was a fun-loving encourager. She would help her friends and relatives get jobs and give positive recommendations for them. She loved her family relentlessly. Her hobbies included cooking especially fragrant Singaporean curry, playing Mahjong, tennis, going to casinos, dancing and spending time with her family. She celebrated her grandchildren’s accomplishments and encouraged them to do their best. She had a strong will to survive that she carried with her as she fought to work thru her stroke and enjoyed time with her family for an additional 8 years. She had such a vibrant and positive spirit and has touched so many lives.

She is survived by her daughter Regina Wong Lee (Howard), daughter Sabrina Wong Gee (Randy), her four grandchildren Sydney Jim, Simon Jim, Whitney Gee, Alex Gee, and son-in law Parsons Jim, Danny Huang and family, May Ou and family, family of Jensen, brother William and sister Diana along with many other beloved relatives. She is predeceased by her husband George Wong and her daughter Marina Jim.