Chong Im Owens, known affectionately as Halmeoni, passed away on June 19, 2024, at the age of 76. She was born on September 24, 1947, in Pusan, South Korea. Chong was a woman of many passions and talents. She loved being with family and friends, going to church, cooking, eating, swimming, fishing, gardening, fiber arts, beauty and cosmetics, singing, reading, journaling, meeting new people, hoping and dreaming, joking and laughing, playing games of all kinds, binge-watching historical K-dramas, and sharing her family history and Korean culture. She was always willing to try again and try something new throughout her life, but she always knew what she loved and what she was good at. She was confident in her God-given gifts and happy to share with others.
Chong believed in the power of food as medicine and love. She was an exceptional cook and loved to prepare meals for her loved ones. Her favorite cuisines included Korean, American, Italian, and seafood. She had a famous sweet tooth and loved to snack. She also introduced her family to produce from around the world. No matter how modest the meal, Chong always took the time to plate and present her dishes with care.
Music was another passion of Chong's. She was a talented singer and sang in church choirs throughout her life. She also played the harmonica and encouraged her children to learn to play instruments. She enjoyed Korean folk songs and American Rock, Disco, Country, Soul, and Pop music, especially from the 60s & 70s. Her favorite American song was "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver.
Chong's life was filled with remarkable accomplishments despite significant sacrifice and hardships. Growing up in the aftermath of the Korean War, she lost her parents at a young age and had to take care of her younger sisters. Despite these challenges, she became an entrepreneur and opened her own beauty salon in Korea. Chong met her first husband, Robert David Moore, a U.S. Army mechanic from Washington state, and together they pursued the American Dream. She earned her U.S. citizenship and cosmetology license, which she was proud to exercise. She opened her own salons in America and maintained her professional licenses until retirement.
Later in life, Chong remarried to her devoted husband Francis John Owens, a General Motors autoworker and Canadian American immigrant, to whom she is widowed. They enjoyed retirement together in Michigan and Maryland and loved traveling, fishing, visiting casinos, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Chong's proudest accomplishment was her family. She was a mother of six children and is survived by her daughters Seonhwa Lee, Seunghee Lee, Melisa Kim Duncan, and her sons Cheolheng Lee and Robert John Moore. Her cherished son Jinheng Lee preceded her in death and was her most heartbreaking loss. Chong was also a proud grandmother to her five granddaughters Sehee Han, Mehee Han, Kiara Duncan, Tiara Duncan, E'vaan Duncan and her two great-grandchildren, Aria Bella Grace Usog and Jonah Danilo Kim Usog. She saw her family as her greatest wealth and always spoke highly of their accomplishments.
Chong is survived by her two younger sisters, Wonja Kim and Yongae Kim, who live in Korea. She was preceded in death by their beloved parents, Bongdae Kim and Bokdong Han.
Chong was a woman of resilience, courage, and talent. She was an exuberant and indomitable spirit whose life was dedicated to her family legacy and God. She survived multiple wars, personal tragedies, and a global pandemic with her sense of humor, family, and faith stronger than ever. She will be remembered for having a heart as great as her beauty. Chong's impact on the lives of her family is immeasurable, and her legacy as a family legend will forever live on in the hearts of her loved ones.
Chong was a faithful member of Han-Sarang Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Millersville, Maryland. She was a generous spirit and gave when she could but regretted being unable to tithe in her later years. Still, Pastor Byungeun Benjamin Kim and his family provided for her needs on a weekly basis to include spiritual, cultural, and physical (food, transportation, Korean language media), and finally, presiding over her funeral service. It would be in her great honor to send donations to Han-Sarang Evangelical Presbyterian Church to continue her legacy of fostering faith in her family and across cultures.
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