(Jean) Kwai Ying Hong

Jean Kwai Ying Hong, age 92, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2022.  Predeceased by first husband Chi Kwong Kwok in 1950 and second husband Tim Hong in 1977, she is survived by step-daughter-in-law York Quin Hong, sons John (Stella) Henry (Elaine) daughter Norma (James) grandchildren Jennifer (Andrew), Selena (Peter), Miranda (Mike), Alexa (Juan), Kelsey, Carissa, Daryl, 4 great-grandchildren, Kezia, Kaleb, Mai-Ly, Jacob, 7 step-grandchildren, Robbie, Jimmy, Annabelle, Donna, Kerry, Sunny, Bill, 14 step-great grandchildren and 2 step great-great grandchildren.  Born in Guangdong, China, young (Jean )Kwai Ying, married her first husband Chi Kwong at age 17 and gave birth to their son (John ) Chi Chung, in 1949. Sadly, her young husband unexpectedly passed away, leaving Jean as a young widow at age 19 to raise her infant son with the help of her parents in China. She did not have the means to attend school or work, so she was encouraged by her parents to move to Hong Kong and leave her son John Chi Chung to be raised by the grandparents in China. Jean was smart and ambitious and learned to read and write on her own and began a career in sales and marketing. She had a flair for fashion and needed to look professional but with limited funds, she quickly taught herself to knit and sew. In 1958 she was introduced to Tim Hong, a nice elderly gentleman who was visiting from Canada, with the purpose of taking on a second wife after the passing of his first wife.

Seeking a better life in Canada, Jean agreed to marry Tim Hong, 34 years her senior, and immigrated to Victoria in 1958. They welcomed the birth of her second son Henry and only daughter Norma, within the next few years. Jean cared for and grew to love Tim, and together they raised their young family including her oldest son John who arrived in 1968 from Hong Kong. When Tim passed away in 1977, Jean found herself widowed again, and worked long hard hours to save money and provide the best life she could for her 3 children while helping extended family immigrate to Canada. Surpassing many obstacles along the way, Jean was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great- grandmother whose family meant everything to her.  Jean worked as a domestic housekeeper/cleaner for many decades and instilled hardworking, traditional beliefs and values to her children and grandchildren.  She loved socializing, entertaining, sewing, gardening, cooking and visiting with many family and friends.  She was a warm, kind, caring woman, known for her strengths, outgoing personality, always generous in helping others, and had a beautiful smile for everyone.  She will be deeply missed by her beloved family and enduring friends but will be forever remembered in our hearts.

Special thanks to the wonderful staff at AgeCare Glenwarren Lodge, for their kind and compassionate care to our mother Jean, when her advanced Dementia took over and she could no longer live safely at home. She spent the final years of her remarkable life in Long Term Care and was loved there and known for her gentle nature and beautiful smile.

A Memorial Service was  held on Tuesday, January 17^th at 1:30 pm in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive with interment to follow at Royal Oak Burial Park. Zoom link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83589088190?pwd=THB5TFB2NjFONmNJanZyaElsb05ndz09

In lieu of flowers, Donations in Jean Hong’s memory can be made to the Victoria Chinatown Care Centre.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.To View service click on arrow below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com