Ellen Tjong So

Ellen was born on the 1st of July 1924, in Medan, Indonesia to Koe Heng Tjong and Swee Heng Ho. She married Sie Kay (Peter) So in 1941. She had 8 children Xiong Fei, Lily, Weilie, Charlie, Mary, Jenny, Julie and Lucas. She moved to the United States in 1971 after her husband died in a car accident. Throughout her life, she continued to love and care for many children, including her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is known to many as “Grandma” whether they were related or not. She loved to cook meals and took great pride when others enjoyed her food. She loved to sing old Baptist hymns and knew all the stanzas by memory. She loved watching television soap operas and game shows like The Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune. She loved red roses. She enjoyed eating desserts most of all. She crocheted many beautiful blankets for family members. She will be remembered for her selfless giving and compassionate care for others.

She is survived by her daughter Lily So and her husband, Ken Guyer; daughter Weilie So Tjoa and her husband Kenneth Tjoa and their children Monica Tjoa Ho and her husband Hubert Ho and great-grandchildren Lindsey and Travis Ho, Melicia Tjoa and her husband Gilbert Chin and great-grandchildren Rachel and Michael Chin; son Charlie So; daughter Mary So (in Indonesia); daughter Jenny So (in Indonesia); daughter Julie So Fu and her husband Eddie Fu and their children Isabella Huang and her husband Dan Huang and great-grandchildren Oliver, Spencer and Eliza Huang, and Stephen Fu.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to her physician, Dr. Terence Holmes and his nurse, Kyna Canales, for their outstanding care and compassion throughout the last few years of her life.