Jennie Fong Ly

Jennie Fong Ly, 66, passed away on July 25, 2017 after a courageous battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a type of cancer relating to the blood. She was the daughter of Chinese immigrants George L. Fong and Nancy Yee, who were from a village called Taishan, in the Guangdong province of China. Jennie was born on November 18, 1950 in Portland, OR and was the middle child to her older brother Paul, and her younger brother George. The family moved shortly thereafter to Tacoma, WA, where she attended school at Geiger Elementary, Truman Junior High, and Wilson High School. After graduating high school in 1969, she attended Western Washington University, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in education in 1975. Jennie then served as a counselor for Lincoln High School, and also at Puyallup Valley Youth Services. Afterward, Jennie began the political career that she was known for while working as a legislative assistant for Congressman Mike Lowry, and Governor Booth Gardner. She was very much involved with all of their work, their campaigns, and fundraising. Jennie also worked with Gary Locke during his bid for the House of Representatives.

In November of 1989, Jennie Fong married her husband David Ly and moved to Southern California where she also served as a legislative assistant for Congressman George Brown. Jennie gave birth to her son, Jonathon in April of 1992. Shortly after, she became a preschool teacher at St. Mark’s Episcopal Preschool in Upland, CA to be closer to her son. Missing the Pacific Northwest, Jennie and her family moved back to the Seattle area in 2004 where she was actively involved in the Chinese-American community, working with Kin On Community Healthcare and the Wing Luke Asian Museum. In addition, she volunteered with Bogey Bear Golf for Inner City Youth. Ultimately, Jennie wanted to be near the water, beach, and nature and moved to Fox Island, retiring in 2013. She spent her final years enjoying the company of family and friends, dogs, walking on the beach, and enjoying the island sunsets by the water.

Jennie Fong Ly is survived by her husband David, her sons Benjamin and Jonathon, her daughter-in-law Karissa, her brother George Fong Jr., her niece Anita Mei, and her grandson Cameron. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother, and was also loved by all. Jennie was beautiful, kind, courageous, funny, positive, had a heart of gold, and brought light and life to wherever she was.

Please sign the online guestbook below and add any messages or stories for the Ly family.

To make sure all of the Ly family guests are well cared for, please RSVP for the reception with an email to [email protected]