Chui Lan Wong Chan

Chan (Wong) Chui Lan was born on March 2, 1924, in Taishan, China. She was the youngest child born in a family of six. Her siblings included two older brothers and one older sister, each born seven years apart. Due to China’s weak economy during those times, the family lived apart with her father working in the United States and sending money back to China to supplement the family’s income. The Wong family has a proud and prominent place in American history. Her father was one of the many railroad workers that contributed to the success of the Transcontinental Railroad. Additionally, he operated a laundromat business in the San Francisco area. Her two older brothers were given immigration status as “paper sons” after the 1906 earthquake and immigrated to America when each turned twelve.

Until the Japanese invasion of China during World War II, Chui Lan lived a stable and flourishing life in the village of Taishan. She was part of the social elite that was educated and can read and write. Her family had land and tenant farmers paid them with crops. As the war raged on, their village was ransacked and Chui Lan and her sister-in-law escaped to Hong Kong for safety.

At the end of the World War II, Chui Lan returned home. She settled down and married Chen See Wai at the age of 19. Her oldest Child, Kuen Kam (Linda) was born in 1944. They would eventually have two more children Carol and Daniel. Meanwhile, the Communist government overtook China. To escape the persecution of the Communist Party during the Cultural Revolution, which labeled the family as “landowners”, her husband fled China in 1949 to Panama where he would later start up an import business to support the family. During these turbulent times, Chui Lan raised their three young children. To avoid the hardship and harsh treatment of the Communist movement, Chui Lan would uproot the household several times from Taishan to Guandong and later from Guandong to Hong Kong.

In 1964, her eldest daughter, Kuen (Linda), married Gene Gin, a US Citizen. In 1969, Gene and Linda sponsored her and the remainder of the family to reside with them in Chandler, Arizona. She managed the household so that her children can engage in the Grocery Store Business. While living in Arizona, she was able to reunite with her two older brothers who also lived in Arizona and later her older sister who lived in California.

Chui Lan was of the Buddhist faith. She had many talents. She was an excellent homemaker, seamstress, gardener and cook. She enjoyed watching television dramas and can often be found around the kitchen table reading Chinese newspapers and magazines. She often talked about World news and Current Events with family. Some of her hobbies included Mahjong and Quilting. She anticipated weekly visits from family members and enjoyed spending time with them. She was also particularly fond of children and pets. She was a tender caregiver to all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who are all grateful to her for her wisdom, love, guidance and support.

Chui Lan was blessed with 8 grandchildren and their respective spouses:

From the eldest daughter Kuen and Gene Gin:

- Michael & Elisa (Ng) Gin, Robert & Rebekah (Tan) Gin and Doris Gin (Lau) & Warren (Rocky) Lau

From the second daughter Carol and David Cheung:

- Melinda Cheung (Nguyen) & Hanh Nguyen, Melody Cheung & Phuc (Truong) and Melissa Cheung (Chen) and Yung Chen

From the youngest son Daniel and Yuk Yip Chan:

- Phillip & Eve (Williams) Chan and Priscilla Chan (Lanuzo) & Steve Lanuzo.

Chui Lan was the beloved great grandma to 14 great grandchildren and their respective spouse:

Kevin and Nicole (Burca) Gin, Ashley Gin, Adley and Ariel Gin, Jessica and Joshua Lau, Colin and Parker Nguyen, Hannah and Keira Truong, Grayson Chen, Ansel Chan, Noah and Logan Lanuzo.

Wong Chui Lan passed away peacefully at home the evening of November 13, 2019 at the age of 95 surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her husband See-Wai in 2017. Her indomitable spirit to persist in face of struggles will be an inspiration to all of us who knew her. She will forever be in our hearts and we will miss her every day.