MABEL WONG - beloved wife of PDG Chuck Wong
Jan 16, 1916 - Jan 6, 2005
 

 

Farewell to a Dear and Gentle Soul:
 
Mabel Wong was born in Victoria, B.C., the 16th child of Lee Mong Kow and Seto Chang Ann, two of the pioneer Chinese families to B.C.
 
She returned to Hong Kong with her family in 1920, and then moved to Shanghai in 1937. In 1946, Mabel returned to Vancouver on her own to live with her sister Irene, and eventually took up employment with the Royal Bank at the corner of Main & Hastings St. Vancouver.
 
It was there that Chuck first laid eyes on Mabel when he came in to make what was to be the first of many regular deposits.
 
On October 22, 1949 they were married and that union brought forth two off springs, Lorraine (Alan Blackwell) and Dennis and grand daughters Karen and Colleen.
 
A few months following the charter of the Rotary Club of Richmond in 1962, Chuck joined Rotary and from that day to the present Rotary became a large part of his and Mabel's lives and their united contribution to Rotary is very well known amongst our Rotary family. For her Service Above Self to Rotary Mabel was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by the members of our Rotary Club.
 
As far as Rotary in concerned, Mabel was a constant companion and stalwart supporter of her dear husband Chuck for forty two years of their 55-year marriage particularly during Chuck's two terms as president first in 1967-1968 and again in 1975-1976 and during his term as District Governor 1980-1981.
In addition to the above Mabel and Chuck were totally committed to our International Youth exchange programs as well as to our many hands on community projects, and their home which they built and lived in for all of their married life was always open to many of the fellowship functions organized by our Club.
 
Mabel, no doubt from her Chinese upbringing, truly epitomized wisdom with gentility, a willingness to help with an air of calmness, generosity from the heart and the ability to admonish with humility - ask Chuck!
 
We are indeed fortunate to have had our paths cross with that of a person like Mabel Wong and her Rotary Family will certainly sorely miss her.
Our Condolences are extended to Chuck, Lorraine, Dennis and the entire Wong family.
 
by PP Wilbur Walrond