Sylvia Hualani Ching

On Wednesday, June 29, 2022, Sylvia Hualani Morton McGuire Ching, a loving wife, a caring friend, and mother of six children passed away at the age of 89 years old. Sylvia was born on June 12, 1933, in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiʻi to Earline Manono Williams and Arthur David Morton. She grew up in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiʻi and later in Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi, Hawaiʻi and attended the Kamehameha Schools. It was at the University of Hawaiʻi where she met the love of her life, Harry Len Fong Ching. On November 30, 1953, Sylvia and Harry were married at Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi, Hawaiʻi.

As Harry was in Army ROTC at the University, they set off for their journey outside the Islands after he graduated. Possessing a strong will and an enviable family-based upbringing, Sylvia met every challenge with determination and grace. She was the rock of the Ching family, raising six children through numerous moves to California, Germany, Georgia, Okinawa, North Carolina, Kansas, Singapore, and Virginia – and returning to Hawaiʻi during Harry’s combat tours in Vietnam. She taught her kids to “know who you are, know where you came from, and know where you are going.” She inspired them by example – always working hard, praising accomplishments, and teaching right from wrong with a hug and a smile.

Proud of her lineage to the Hawaiian aliʻi or nobility, she enjoyed practicing cultural expression through hula. She studied for many years with Kumu Mapuana de Silva of Hālau Mōhala ʻIlima, including participating in the prodigious ‘uniki ceremony in 2007. Sylvia was also a consummate lifelong learner, and constantly enriched herself through books and articles, taking courses, and earning her Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees at Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University, respectively.

Her professional life began at Fort Leavenworth working part-time as a Red Cross Volunteer and then as a member of a group typing papers for students at the Army Command and General Staff College. After the family moved to Springfield, Virginia, Sylvia was hired as an Administrative Assistant at Washington Irving Middle School and then as the Principal’s Secretary at Annandale High School. When Harry was assigned as the Defense Attaché to Singapore, Sylvia served as the Family Liaison Coordinator. Upon their return to Springfield, Sylvia held several positions with the Assistant Secretary of the Army Resource Management Office until her retirement. She was active in her community, supporting activities at the Rolling Valley Swim Club and Messiah United Methodist Church.

Sylvia is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Harry; her parents, Earline and Melville McGuire; her siblings, Earline Kuulei Kalilikane, Melville Oliver McGuire, and Henry Emmett McGuire; and her beloved dog, Samantha.

She is survived by her six children - Earline and George Schmid, Liz Ching and Kevin Dowling, Diane and Larry DeFranco, Harry and Karen Ching, Kevin Ching and Dee Zachar and her partner Russell Jones, her sister – Artha Osman, her 12 grandchildren – Julia Schmid, Joshua Schmid, Tierney I’ehu Rael, Aidan Kehau Dowling, Seanan Patrick Ikaika Dowling, Keoni DeFranco, Lehuanani DeFranco, Leilani Ching, Kealoha Ching, Makana Ching, David Ching, Jon Ching, and her nine great grandchildren, Kaiven Rael, Ikaika Rael, Amara Rael, Kekoaikaika Dowling, Auliʻi Dowling, Josiah Ching, Nicodemus Ching, Andrew Ching, and Gideon Ching.

A memorial service is scheduled for August 22 at 2:00 pm ET at the Messiah United Methodist Church with Pastor Reggie Tuck officiating. If you are interested in attending the Memorial Services virtually, it will be viewable at the following URL: https://messiahumc.org/celebration-of-life/

A joint burial for Harry and Sylvia is being planned for Arlington Cemetery. The date will be announced when confirmed. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, EIN 52-2396428.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Ching family at www.demainefunerals.com.