Myung Won Khang

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will award me." 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Myung Won “Grace” Khang (formerly Choi), a devoted mother whose resilience,independence, and faith shaped the lives of her family, passed away on January 23, 2026,in Okemos, Michigan, at the age of 86. She was surrounded by both of her daughters and her sons-in-law, who will remember her with love and gratitude.

Mrs. Khang was born on October 1, 1939, in Gang-Neung (Si), Gang-Won (Do) Province, South Korea, the youngest daughter of Choi Don Gi and Oh Young Jin. In an era when the two words 'female empowerment' were nonexistent, especially in Seoul, Korea, she made the uncommon decision to emigrate to New York City with her two young daughters, then 10 and 13 in 1977, seeking greater opportunity and independence for her young family. Determined that her daughters would have access to education and possibilities she herself had not, Mrs. Khang made significant personal sacrifices to support their schooling and future. Her efforts bore fruit.

Her elder daughter, Stephanie, attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and her younger daughter, SunHee, studied at Parsons School of Design in New York. She took great pride in her daughters’ individual successes; while Stephanie excelled engineering, SunHee flourished in magazine publishing. Mrs. Khang often remarked that she felt fortunate to have “two very different daughters,” adding that “it would be boring to have the same child twice.”

In later years, after her daughters were grown and married, Mrs. Khang remarried. She spent two decades in Haymarket, Virginia. She was a devoted Christian whose quiet strength and humble heart were matched by generosity, sharp wit, and a wonderful sense of humor. She relished her role as a wife and business manager of her late husband’s real estate holdings, while maintaining a wide circle of loyal friendships from her high school years and often serving as the center of gatherings, offering conversation shaped by humor and keen observation of life.

Mrs. Khang moved to Michigan to be closer to her elder daughter, Stephanie. After suffering an accident in August 2024, she required increasing care, and her daughters alternated caring for her every two weeks during her recovery—a reflection, they said, of the devotion she had shown them throughout their lives. A devout Christian, Mrs. Khang's faith guided her daily life. She prayed daily without fail for her family and expressed her beliefs through a steady practice of humility, grace, and generosity toward others, deeply rooted in Scriptures.

She was preceded in death by her husband Hong Keon Khang, her sister Moon Hee Choi and brother-in-law Hang Ik Choi of Seoul, South Korea. She is survived by her beloved daughters and sons-in-law, Stephanie Hong and Dr. Charles Hong, of Okemos, Michigan, and SunHee Grinnell and Toland Grinnell, of Brooklyn, New York, and four granddaughters, Emily Hong and Evan Jones of San Francisco, CA, Katie Hong of Reisterstown, MD, Sarah Hong of Baltimore, MD, and Ariel Hong of Baltimore, MD; and two grandsons, Elijah Hong of Redwood City, CA, and Roman Grinnell of Burlington, VT; sisters, Ikyun Cha of Manassa, VA and Myung Rim Choi of Seoul, South Korea.

A celebration of her life and faith will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, 6 pm, at Korean New Hope Baptist Church of East Lansing, Michigan. Mrs. Khang's remains will be buried at Fairfax Memorial Park in Fairfax, Virginia, as her final resting place.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Korean New Hope Baptist Church of East Lansing, 149 Highland Ave, East Lansing, Michigan 48823.