Elizabeth Okyun Kahng

In the ancient Christian world, a name given to a member or chosen for a member of the community, was meant to define the person in the eyes of the community that would cherish, support, and love the life of the individual.

Elizabeth: name derived from a form of the Hebrew Elisheva, meaning "My God is an oath" or "My God is abundance". This is the name that our beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend chose to embrace and to live in abundance. Knowing that the guiding strength in her life would be the strength found only within God. She lived life in abundance and shared this abundance with those she encountered during her life journey.

Elizabeth Okyun Kahng joined the cohorts of angels in heaven on February 19, 2021 in Dublin Ohio. She was born in the city of Jangyunkun, Hwanghado present day North Korea on August 1st, 1931. Elizabeth was the oldest survived by two sisters and two brothers. She graduated from Kyung Ki University in 1955. In April 1956, she married her husband David Myunghoon Kahng. They enjoyed abundant love for fifty-four years. It was in 1974 that Elizabeth and her family immigrated to the United States settling in Columbus, Ohio in search for a better life and opportunities for their family. Repeating the story of numerous immigrants before them, they embarked on a journey of hard work, toil, and hope. Launching many businesses in Columbus, Ohio that enabled them to paint their life with the colors of joy and happiness.

Elizabeth was a Deaconess and a long-time member of the Korean Church of Columbus where she always knew she could find a word of encouragement, an embrace of happiness, and a smile of hope. She worked tirelessly for the work of her faith, family, and friends. She always embraced the challenges of life with courage and positive outlook. She was active in the church choir, loved singing, playing the piano, and cooking. Elizabeth is survived by her daughter Rachel Contreras-Kahng and her sons Robert, Benjamin, and Alex Kahng as well as her grandsons Antonio and Pablo Contreras-Kahng, James, Jonathan, Jeremy, and Jordan Kahng.

Donations in Elizabeth's memory may be made to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation at https://cholangiocarcinoma.org/