Shoo Yen Fong

Shoo Yen Fong was born in China on February 1, 1951, the youngest of 5 children. During the Communist Revolution, her family fled to Hong Kong, where Shoo spent her youth. In 1970, Shoo immigrated to the United States with her mother and brother, to join her father in Washington DC. She often worked at his carry-out restaurant on 9th St NW in Chinatown. Shoo attended Western HS, and then Montgomery College for a Dental Assistant certification.

The Fong and Woo families were old friends. In 1975, when Wilson visited the East Coast, he stayed with the Woos and reconnected with Shoo. Their relationship was mainly long distance until they married in 1978. Wilson and Shoo lived in CA and IA, before settling in MD in 1985.

Shoo’s greatest treasures in life were her children: Sharon, Stephen, and Karen. She loved being a full-time mom and took great pride in all of their accomplishments. Shoo was especially pleased that she and Wilson were able to provide them with debt-free college educations. In recent years, Shoo’s joy was infectious at the weddings of her two daughters, and honorary son, Ryan, where she proudly showed off her floral arrangement skills.

In 1999, Shoo rejoined the workforce as a Circulation Assistant with the Prince George’s County Library System, working at the Surrattsville and Oxon Hill Branches, until her retirement in 2012.

In her free time, Shoo loved working in her garden, watching Chinese TV dramas, playing on her iPad, searching for good deals at the BX and Costco, and catching up with friends over lunch. Shoo also loved to travel, especially with her family.

Shoo is survived by her husband (Wilson), children (Sharon, Stephen, Karen), son-in-laws (Chris, Rick), sisters (Grace, Wai Kam), brother-in-law (Sai), sister-in-law (Yee Ling), nieces (Linda K., Linda S., Jessica, Amy), along with many extended family members and beloved friends. She was preceded in death by her parents (Fay Jim and Wai Lun), brother (Gin Park), brother-in-law (Bill), and nephew (John).