Ms Ching Sheung Wong Lee

LEE, Ching Sheung (Wong), devoted mother of Eric F. Lee and Gilda D. Lee, passed away surrounded by her son and daughter. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to join her children in visiting hours on Tuesday, November 19, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Deware Funeral Home - Waterman Chapel, 576 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02170, 617-472-1137. Funeral service on Wednesday, November 20 at 12:00 p.m. followed by a procession to Forest Hills Cemetery. Family will receive relatives and friends at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service.

Ching was born in 1948 in a small village in Canton, China, where life started out rosy, but the situation in China quickly became difficult. She relocated to Hong Kong at an early age to escape the difficult times in China. She grew up in Hong Kong and enjoyed her time there, but had dreamed of living in the United States, a place where she believed held values similar to her own – that of democracy, freedom, and human rights, a place where she could say what she wanted and do what she wanted and not have anyone take away her freedom. She came to the United States about forty years ago with little means and without speaking a word of English; she was joined with her two sisters and father around the same time. Shortly after arriving in the United States, she had two beautiful children, Eric Lee and Gilda Lee. During this time, she strived to make her own in the new free country. She worked two to three jobs, seven days a week; she took classes at nights to learn to speak, read, and write in English; she learned how to drive so that she can become more independent - all at the same time raising her two young children and taking care of her beloved father. She was always seeking for better and better employment opportunities. She became interested in the insurance industry and financial industry and worked as an Underwriting Associate and later also as a Tax Advisor for many years until she retired. In retirement, she kept herself busy by continuing to work as a Tax Advisor and volunteering her time at various charities, and also volunteering to help friends and anyone in need. She loved working at H&R Block and has made many wonderful friends there. She remained full of life and was involved with many clubs and associations. She loved to dance, do tai chi and yuan ji, eat out with friends, and go to dinner parties.

Her daughter, Gilda Lee, has written a tribute to her mother.

A Tribute to Mom:

Eric and I would like to thank you all for being here today to celebrate our mom. She was a generous, loving, supportive, and selfless person, and these last couple of months, the outpouring of love and support has proven this to be true.

I honestly do not know how I can adequately describe our mom with words. Mom cared deeply for everyone she knew, whether you were her family, friend, or a member of the community. She lived her life putting all others before herself, even those she did not know.

She was tough, but compassionate. She spoke her mind, even if she knew others would not want to hear it, especially if she thought it would somehow help them. As her children, she was even harder on us, always telling us she expects more of us. It was not easy being Ching’s children; however, we knew she pushed us hard out of love. We knew that underneath the harshness, she had a heart of solid gold.

She was always eager to help out anyone in need. She had the kindest heart of anyone we knew. She loved life and she loved people, and she saw the good in everyone. She would talk to everyone she walks by. In life, she enjoyed traveling and seeing the world, eating out, spending time with family and friends, but one of her greatest joys of all in life was helping others and bringing joy to others, especially those in need. She was charitable, giving, always volunteering her time. It would have been easy for anyone with such medical conditions to give up on life, but she fought with grace, bouncing back time and again, and we knew the main reason she fought so hard was for us, her many friends, and to help others. It is gratifying for us to know that she had such a positive influence on so many people. Her actions and the incredible example that she showed us are behaviors that should be emulated by all of us. She was a true role model, a person who possessed qualities we should all try to imitate.

She is the strongest person I have ever known. It seemed she achieved the impossible: working 2 to 3 jobs seven days a week, while at the same time learning to read and write in English and making sure that Eric and I were taken care of, going through cancer, chemotherapy, radiation treatments, countless surgeries. After all she has been through, we learned from her that there is no obstacle we could not overcome. She gave me my strength, and I know that I am the person that I am today because of her influence.

We will miss her with all of our hearts and will always cherish the times we spent together. She was always there when we needed her and was the most loving and caring mother. She was selfless and always put others ahead of herself. She never wanted people to go out of their way for her. Yet, she did it all of the time for them. She always went out of her way to help other people, no matter what.

She has touched the lives of so many people and even though she is gone, her memory will live on in all of our hearts forever. Her spirit has not left us. Everyone who was ever touched by her in his or her lifetime should have faith that she will be watching over them because that is just what she does.

Our mom was remarkable and I doubt she ever realized how many, many people she has had an impact on in her lifetime. Cherish the memories you have of her and honor her memory by doing good things for others. This is how she lived her life and there is no better way of honoring her than by following her example. Her love for all of us is what is going to pull us through this. All of the many, many people whose lives have been touched by her should take comfort in knowing that right now, she is standing at the gates of heaven, breathing in huge breaths of air. That is what is getting me through this – knowing that she can finally breathe on her own. Her good friend Jumoke is right; Ching still won. It makes me so happy for her, even though I am so sad for us.

Again, thank you for being here today.