Janelle M Ong

Janelle Marie Ong, 54, died Sunday, June 12, 2016 following a swift but courageous battle with cancer. Janelle was one of 24 grandchildren of Wing F. Ong, the first Chinese immigrant elected to a U.S. State legislature in 1946. Sen. Ong served two terms in the Arizona state House of Representatives followed by a term as an Arizona State Senator.

Janelle was well-known for her infectious laughter and radiant smile, her optimistic and non-judgmental disposition, her strong and resilient spirit, and her eternally-feisty energy that far surpassed her tiny stature. A true people person, Janelle enjoyed a lifelong career in the restaurant business starting at age 13 when she began helping at her family’s Phoenix-area restaurants (Wings Restaurant and El Bandido). Janelle went on to spend nearly a decade working for the Ritz Carlton Hotel, and was most recently employed for seven years at Richardson’s in the Rockerij Cellar Bar.

Janelle is survived by her mother Janet Snyder, her sister and best friend Debra Ong Adams, her brothers Bradley Ong and Derek Ong, her cat BK, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She joins her beloved father Jack Ong and brothers Brian Ong and Greg Ong in Heaven.