Cynthia Wong

Cynthia Ng-Houng was born on a Wednesday in Trinidad, August 4, 1937. She was the second oldest of five children. Her parents separated and her mother took the children to Hong Kong. Life was tough on the family. They lived very frugal, with only a couple outfits each, no toys, no books. At 21 Cynthia went to Jamaica. She worked in a little convenience store and lived with the owners above it. She was a nanny for their children when she wasn't working and she would take the children on outings to the beach or to the movies. It was the first time she had money to spend, but she began her lifelong commitment to saving money and finding the best deals whenever she could.

Cynthia returned to Hong Kong and met Hon Wong. Her mother told her that she better marry him because she was getting old. Tai and OiLyn were both born in Hong Kong. They were young children in 1979 when the family moved to be close to Uncle John who lived in Homeland. The family flew into Los Angeles Airport and then flew to Palm Springs. They made their way to Hemet, staying a short time in Banning. When in Hemet, Hon met a man who spoke Chinese who helped him get a job at Winchell's Donuts as a fryer. Cynthia also worked there a couple years and would walk to work.

Cynthia was a homemaker for most of her life. She did not like going anywhere unless it was shopping and she had coupons or rewards to use. She spent most of her days walking, eating lunch, watching soap operas like General Hospital, One Life to Live, and All My Children. She knew everything there was to know about the Kardashians, and she really enjoyed watching musicals such as The Sound of Music, The King and I, West Side Story, Breakfast at Tiffany's (or anything with Audrey Hepburn) and Mary Poppins. She loved the E Channel and she loved reading for information. She would clip interesting news articles or information on how to live healthy and have them ready whenever it could help someone she was writing a letter to. We found cards and letters from people in her life who describe her as "a sweet and special lady" who gave "gifts throughout the years" and state how lucky they are to have a friend such as her. Letter writing was her favorite form of communication. She had no use for cell phones or other modern conveniences such as microwaves. She didn't drive. She preferred to live simply and healthy.

Cynthia was good at mending and hemming and hemmed all her own dresses. She knit many years ago and even made Tai a knitted vest.

Cynthia was a good cook and neighbors who are now grown fondly recall her egg rolls and rum cake (and she would soak the fruit in brandy for months). She would make an amazing curry chicken. She had a sweet tooth and Tai and OiLyn were sent often to a Chinese Market to buy her bags of candy. When she discovered Amanda could make lemon bars, she sent her bags of lemons from her neighbor's tree and waited for the treats. Another favorite meal was Kentucky Fried Chicken and boy, did she love ice cream!

Cynthia had a favorite greeting whenever she saw her friends. She would always ask, "What's cookin?" And, being the bargain shopper, she was always curious, "How much did that cost?"

She loved to shop and OiLyn was so happy to see all of her mother's friends who worked at JC Penneys greet her so fondly when they went there. They were excited to see her and told OiLyn that she had the "coolest Mom" and "she is so sweet". If she could get a good deal, she would buy extra and generously share with others. She made sure that whatever she bought came from the back of the shelf to avoid germs or items that had recently been restocked. When it came time to check out she was not afraid to suggest how things should be bagged and was particular that her purchases came home in the same condition that she bought them.

Cynthia was secure in her life as a homemaker, walking everywhere, learning from television or living vicariously through the characters, shopping, cooking, writing letters, reading, and being a good friend. She will be missed. In Chinese tradition, we have white envelopes with her favorite candies for everyone, to help sweeten our feelings of loss as we mourn her passing.