May 3, 1921-October 15, 2016
Born in San Francisco, Cynthia was the 4th of 6 children born to Dong Lin and Mabel Quon Dong (also born in San
Francisco, 1899): 2 brothers (spouse): Edwin “Bing” (Mary Ann) Dong and Gilbert (Betty Lee) Dong, Sr. and the
“Dong sisters”(spouse); Susan (Robert) Tom, Betty (Larry) Suen and Sylvia (Peter) Niblo. These native San
Franciscans all grew up in Chinatown in the 1920s-1950s. Her siblings called her “Ah Ping”, which means Peace.
Cynthia and Herbert Choy, Sr. were married on April 25, 1948 and raised three children, Keith, Craig/Cheri and
Herbert Choy, Jr. She spent 40 years at I. Magnin/Macy*s on Union Square. Starting out as a “Wrapper”, (Gift
Wrapping, not to be confused with contemporary “Rapper”) She ascended to be one of the top retail sales
persons at this exclusive high-end department store.
Together with husband Herb, they danced with The Ming Swingers, a group of young Chinese American artisans
that performed international folk dances, polkas, waltzes and swing. Their performances exhibited the blend of
American culture with the pride of a Chinese heritage.
Since the early 1940s Cynthia was an active participant in the CCYC-Chinese Christian Youth Conference and one
of the founders of the CCFC-Chinese Christian Family Conference held annually at Zephyr Point Presbyterian
Conference Center at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Every year, Cynthia organized what she pronounced the “Friday Night
Boo Fay”, an all you can eat buffet experience at a Stateline Casino.
Cynthia has been blessed by many direct descendents and a large family: three children, Herb Choy, Jr. (Ann Pon),
Keith Choy (Julia Chu) and Cheri/Craig Choy; Grandchildren Darren Choy (Cathy Choy), Kevin Choy (Nancy Hue),
Timothy Choy, Samantha Choy, Caitlin Choy and Grant Choy; Great grandchildren Jerrod Choy, Adriana Choy,
Lauren Ngoi, Connor Choy, Ethan Choy and Nicole Acosta.
A celebration of Cynthia Choy’s life will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2016, beginning at 1:00pm at Woodlawn
Memorial Park Chapel and Mausoleum, 1000 El Camino Real, Colma, CA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the CCFC, Chinese Family Conference, the Chinatown YMCA or
Kimochi Senior Meals Program.
Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Funeral Home, Colma, CA.
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