Rachel Sieu-Young Wong

Rachel Wong, devoted mother and beloved grandmother, passed away at age 85 on Tuesday, December 15th, 2020. Rachel, the eldest daughter of seven siblings, was born to James and Lydia Chen on May 12, 1935, in GulangYu, Fujian China (福建鼓浪嶼). Mr. Chen was a Christian minister whose ministry led his family to Bangkok, Thailand for a few years after World War II. Shortly after returning to Fujian, the Chen family moved to Hong Kong to flee Communism and spread the gospel. Rachel and her three siblings assisted their father who was an elder of the Hong Kong Chinese Church. While Rachel was training to be a nurse, Philip’s coworker introduced him to her father as a potential suitor. The match was a success and the two were married on October 10, 1959. In 1960, Philip and Rachel immigrated to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Philip attended the University of Minnesota. Lucas and Lawrence were born while Philip was earning his master’s degree in electrical engineering. In June 1963, Philip joined IBM in Rochester, MN, where Philip and Rachel welcomed Percy and Albert, completing the Wong family. Being the third Chinese household to arrive in Rochester, Philip and Rachel helped build a Chinese community to support the future immigrants who soon followed. They also helped to establish the Rochester Christian Fellowship, which would later become the Rochester Chinese Christian Church, as it is known today. During their seventeen years in Rochester, Rachel was a devoted mother to four sons, taught Chinese cooking lessons, worked as a seamstress, served the church and its members, and welcomed new immigrant Chinese families. In 1980, Philip took a position with IBM’s PC Group in Austin, Texas, and the Wong family became proud Texans! Philip and Rachel became active members of Austin Christian Assembly (基督徒交通中心). Rachel dearly loved her church family and enjoyed playing the piano for weekly worship services. She was a fabulous cook and frequently prepared meals for church luncheons. Rachel loved traveling with Philip and continued to do so after Philip passed away in 2008. She enjoyed Zumba, taking walks around her neighborhood and being with her family. Rachel was known for her good heart, outgoing personality, compassionate spirit, and unwavering devotion to the Lord. She will be deeply missed by all.

Rachel is preceded in death by her husband, Philip Wong, her eldest brother, Wee Chong Tan, and her parents. She is survived by her four sons and their families; Lucas, his wife, Lisa, and their children, Zoelle, Lizette, and Marc; Lawrence, his wife, Jean, and their children, Christopher and Jonathan; Percy, his wife Jean, and their children, Zachary and Natalie; and Albert, his wife, Yvonne, and their children, Mason and Avery. Rachel is also survived by her sisters, Esther Kao, Sylvia Chow, Helen Ko, and Grace Chen, her brother Cepher Chen, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral service will be held on December 27th at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville TX 78660. A viewing will be held from 1:00 - 2:00 PM followed by a service in celebration of Rachel’s life at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that condolence gifts be made to Austin Christian Assembly, 4511 Manchaca Road, Austin TX, 78745, in memory of Rachel Wong.