Wang Jung Jung, or Helen Wang (her Anglicized name), was born in 1930 in Beijing, China. She was the only daughter in a family with three sons. Helen would go on to live a life of amazing adventure, filled with both happy times and unimaginable hardships.
Helen was born into relative comfort; her father was a banker and her family well-to-do. However, at a young age, Helen’s education was interrupted by both repeated serious illness and the Japanese invasion of China preceding WWII. In 1948, the communist Red Army overran Beijing and Helen’s family was forced to flee their home. With the assistance of a dashing young pilot, the family escaped first to Nanjing and eventually to Taipei, Taiwan. Helen’s family always assumed they would someday return home to China…but never could.
Helen and the young pilot, who would eventually go on to become Air Force General Robert C.C. Wang, fell in love and were married in 1951 in Taipei. A few years later a son, Ken, and a daughter, Sophie, were born. Robert’s career often caused him to be away from home and, as a result, Helen developed a strong sense of independence. In Taiwan, Helen always worked. Interestingly, because of her strong English, one of her jobs during this time was translating motion picture subtitles for Universal Pictures. Helen’s life during this time was full with family and friends.
By the mid-70’s both Ken and Sophie were attending college in the Los Angeles area. Helen began to spend more time in the States to be near her children. Like a true Californian, she even learned to drive a car. Helen finally moved to Orange County permanently about the time her grandchildren began to arrive. Her grandchildren, Allison, Polly, and Kevin, and subsequently her great grandchildren, Natalie, Blake, Cooper, and Robert, were the loves of her life. Her world revolved around them. She was a strong and ferociously independent women always on top of the latest technology, current events, and the stock market. She also enjoyed golfing twice a week into her 80’s and playing poker and mahjong games with her friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and husband. Those family members and friends surviving Helen will miss her deeply. Her strong spirit, unconditional love, and sharp humor will live on in our hearts forever.
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