In Memoriam

Delores Wong
Delores Wong was born in Vallejo, California on September 24, 1921. She passed away on November 23 peacefully in her sleep. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, the Honorable Delbert E. Wong. She is survived by children Shelley (the Reverend Tyrone Pitts); Duane (Joanne); Kent (Jai); and Marshall; grandsons Sandy Pitts, Ryan and Robin Wong.

Delores was a fourth-generation Californian whose great-grandfather arrived in San Francisco in 1852. She was the first person in her family to attend college, graduating from U.C. Berkeley in 1942 and receiving a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Smith College in 1946.

Delores worked as a psychiatric social worker in Boston, New Orleans, and Sacramento until the birth of her children. She became a full-time mother but invested many years in community volunteer activities. Her happiest and most satisfying contribution was to help fund and establish the first public library in Los Angeles Chinatown.

Honors received during her lifetime include awards from the YWCA, Organization of Chinese Americans, Asian Pacific Women’s Network, Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Chinatown Public Safety Association, and Friends of the Chinese American Museum. Friends wishing to honor her memory may contribute to Friends of the Chinatown Library, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA, Chinese American Museum, or the East-West Players.

Coleman K. Wong
Coleman K. Wong (1954 -2014) passed away peacefully in San Francisco after a brief illness.

He was born in 1954 in Hong Kong to Lui Sang Wong, Nga Ling Wong. He immigrated to the United States when he was 8 years old. He attended Spring Valley Elementary School, Marina Junior High School and Galileo High School. Coleman graduated from San Francisco State University from the School of Social Work.

On September 13, 1980 he married the love of his life Mamie Fong. They have one son Christopher.

Coleman was a licensed clinical social worker. He was very proud of his work and very dedicated to his profession and his community. Until his passing he was still working for the Department of Public Health for the City and County of San Francisco and part time for Richmond Area Multi Services (RAMS). He had many affiliations which included National Association of Social Workers (NASW), On Lok Lifeways, Self Help for the Elderly, Northeast Medical Services (NEMS), Laguna Honda, Stepping Stones Senior Health Center, Galileo Adolescent Program(GAP), Asian Pacific Island Social Work Council, NICOS and Asian for Job opportunities.

In spite of a lifetime of medical obstacles, Coleman worked tirelessly to help others. He was also a two-time kidney transplant recipient. His family is grateful to the donors that enabled him to have a full life.

Coleman’s departure will be deeply felt by family, friends, co-workers and the community.  In lieu of flowers please donate to the Northern California Kidney Foundation at https://www.kidney.org or a charity of your choice.