Choy Ngan Kwock

Choy Ngan was born on January 25, 1923 (Lunar Calendar) to Gong Young Kai and Wong Gum Ying in the Fah Yuen District of Canton, China.

In 1948, she emigrated to the United States following a marriage to Francis Hong Kwock, a resident of the United States. She and her husband established a home in San Bernardino, CA, going on to have three children, John, Dianne, and Tom. Choy Ngan and Francis were kind, encouraging, and devoted parents, and worked hard long hours. As was typical in those days, Choy stayed home to raise her children, while Francis worked outside.

Choy was at her finest with her domestic skills throughout her life. Before today’s trend of farm-to-table restaurants, Choy was light years ahead in putting that trend into practice. Her green thumb nurtured from seedling or young plant, a year-round variety of Chinese and American vegetables second to none. She grew beautiful roses, healthy bushes and trees, and a lushed green lawn. Her excellence in Cantonese cooking included making her own sausages and bacon, salted fish, Chinese pasta and etc. from scratch. She even embroidered and sewed her own and young kids’ clothes and blankets without a pattern.

Choy and Francis both helped in the big Kwock families’ grocery store, Palace Market, with Francis as the general manager for many years. Palace Market eventually closed leaving Choy and Francis trying to figure out how to provide for their family with a son in medical school, a daughter in pharmacy school, and another son in undergraduate school.

It was no secret Choy Ngan was an incredible cook. She touted an Elder declared Choy’s roasted the most moist and flavorful Thanksgiving turkey of all Kwock families at the grocery store. Raised on Mom’s delicious home-cooking, her kids encouraged her to open an eatery. For about 10 years, she and her husband ran a successful Chinese takeout restaurant, Sun Sun Kitchen, closing only for graduations and weddings of their children. Choy, a quiet and shy woman, enjoyed expanding her social circle and getting to know her kids’ new in-laws and regular customers and employees at the restaurant.

In 1981, circumstances led to restaurant closure and Choy and Francis were moved to a home in Selma to help with their daughter’s young family and business. It wasn’t long when their son and young family moved nearby to Fresno for a business opportunity. It was at this time Choy and Francis discovered the joy of grandparenting. Over the next few years, Choy and Francis enjoyed visiting with their growing brood of 8 grandkids in Selma Fresno and LA.

This happy marriage lasted 43 years with the passing of Francis. In 1991, Choy Ngan, widowed, was moved to a home in Fresno near her son, and later near her daughter. She remained active and healthy, and sought to be a part of her grandkids’ lives by attending her grandkids’ birthday parties, graduations from college, and weddings.

But she was also becoming older and frail. She had to stop driving and finally gave up gardening and cooking. She had a 24/7 caregiver because she wanted to pass away at home. Choy had always longed to be with her husband the 30 years she was a widow. She can do that now. Let us all wish her well on her journey.

A private service will be held at Stephens and Bean. The interment will be at Belmont Memorial Gardens.

Choy Ngan Kwock was a devoted and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She is survived by her

Children

John and Dorothy Kwock

Dianne and Ron Jung

Tom and Blessy Kwock

Grandchildren

Lindsay and Mike Hu, John and Jessica Kwock, Harrison and Eva Kwock, Ethan Kwock

Jason Jung, Nick and Bethany Jung

Chloe and Mitchell Aastad, Kirstie Kwock

Great Grandchildren

Sloane Hu, Owen Hu, Axel Hu, John Kwock, Joseph Kwock, Nolan Kwock

Quinn Jung, Sophie Jung

She is predeceased by her husband Francis Hong Kwock.

She is also predeceased by her elder sister Chun Yuey Leung.