Pok Sun Waligora

Pok Sun Waligora was born Pok Sun Kim in Seoul, Korea, on September 6, 1950. Growing up in an orphanage during the Korean War, her big heart and caring nature was already apparent from a young age. She loved to help cook meals for everyone and fix the other girls' hair. By the age of 16, she was living independently on her own. Years later, she met her husband Jeffrey Waligora while he was stationed in Korea in 1976 with the U.S. Army through a mutual friend. Once Jeff was back in New York, they continued to write letters to each other until they were able to be married on August 12, 1977. Two years later, they had their first child, Kristen, in 1979, and their son, Neil, in 1983.

She was very creative and loved cooking, gardening, drawing, going to church, music, and above all, taking care of her family. Her penchant for fixing people's hair turned into a profession and she owned her own salon a year before she retired. She also accomplished a lifelong dream she had held since childhood of learning to play the piano. During retirement, she would spend hours in the kitchen expressing her creativity concocting delicious meals until springtime came. She absolutely loved her garden and nurturing plants to grow. If you wanted to talk to her, you had to go outside because she literally spent all day in her garden from spring until fall. She once told us if she had her way, there would be no grass in the yard because it would be one big garden, and she was well on her way to accomplishing that goal.

Pok Sun had a beautiful soul and was a bright light of positivity. She was quick-witted and had a quirky sense of humor and loved to be a troublemaker. She always put the needs of her family above her own and had a quiet strength and cheerful attitude. Even during her year-long battle with liver cancer, she stayed joyful until the end.

She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Waligora; her daughter, Kristen Waligora; and her son, Neil Waligora.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lincolnmemorialpk.com for the Waligora family.