Mae Ping Wong

Mae Wong was born in Canton, Ohio in 1923 as the first in her family to be born in America. Her parents then moved about 90 miles away to the Dormont suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her family rented a small one-room garage where Mae would live as her home for the next 30 years. Mae's parents started their own laundry business near a busy train station. By age six, Mae was already working in the family business translating between her parents' Toisanese (Chinese dialect similar to Cantonese) and their customers' English.

Mae's father died when she was only 11 leaving her to take more responsibility in the business and caring for her six younger siblings. Mae eventually dropped out of school to help her mother full-time. Though she did not finish school herself, she made sure that her brothers and sister were able to attend school. Mae and her siblings sent many care packages to their brothers who fought for the United States in WWII and the Korean War.

In 1953, Mae married Joe Wong and moved to Shreveport, Louisiana where they established a well-known cleaners and laundry business while raising eight children of their own. Mae instilled in her children and grandchildren the value of hard work, education, and family. Mae was proud to see all eight children earn their college degrees.

In her leisure time, Mae enjoyed shopping (especially for others), eating, and watching sports, but mostly just spending time with family. Mae was blessed with five brothers, two sisters, eight children, ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, Pecan Venue, located at 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, on January 17, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

The funeral service will take place at the same venue on January 18, 2026, starting at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, her family kindly requests that donations be made in Mae Ping Wong's memory to the Chinese Community Center's Youth program, which helps Asian American youth build confidence and self-esteem and receive emotional support from professional experts so they can excel and thrive.

Donation link:

https://ccchouston.org/donate/

Donation Instructions:

- Select “Youth” under the Campaign section.

- Choose “In Memory.”

- Type “Mae Ping Wong” in the Tribute Name field.