Wan Kam Leong

Lam Wan Kam (Chinese put the surname first) was born September 11, 1930, in Canton City, in the province of Kwangtung, China. Her early life was quite an adventure, as she and her family learned to survive Japanese occupation during World War II.

After the war, she met and married Douglas Leong (Chinese name, Yip Hung Mau) in 1948. Later, she would fondly recall how the matchmaker introduced Douglas to a line of pretty girls, but he only wanted her.

Kam also learned wisdom at a young age. Though she had other suitors, she chose Douglas because she saw and appreciated his honesty and integrity.

The very first time she got on a plane to join her husband in America, it overshot the runway and crashed into Tokyo Bay. Though some passengers were injured, Kam escaped unscathed. It was at this time that Kam accepted Christ in her heart. She felt He was watching over her and protected her from harm.

More challenges awaited in America – she and her husband started a laundry business, but at first there were very few customers. Then their finances were stretched even thinner when they had their second son, Edward in 1953. Meanwhile, they still had to send money back to their family in China to take care of their first son, Norman (he was born in Hong Kong in 1949).

But she and her husband went to the First Chinese Presbyterian Church and prayed for help. Soon after, business picked up.

It was a difficult life, as they had to stand for hours and work shoulder to shoulder ironing and folding. Their only joy was going to church and grocery shopping in Chinatown, then playing mah jong with relatives every Sunday.

When Kam had her third son, Ernest, again she stood and worked with Douglas right up until the labor pains started. When Ernest was born, he weighed in at almost 10 pounds.

But Kam never complained. Besides love of God, she also had a great love for her family. It was this love that got her through difficult times.

Through their hard work and sacrifice, Kam and Douglas were able to send all three sons to college (Norman and Ernest went to Wesleyan, Edward attended Yale). Kam continued working in the laundry alone while Douglas worked for Citibank and attended night school. With her help and support, Douglas was able to achieve a lifetime dream, and earn a high school diploma and college degree.

When Edward married Chee Lee Mao and adopted children (Stephen and Anna), Kam and Douglas moved to Arlington, Virginia to help (along with Ernest). And they were able to find new love and fulfillment taking care of the grandchildren and attending the Chinese Community Church in DC.

But there was also more pain and loss. Edward passed away from lung cancer in 2014. A few years later, her husband passed away suddenly in 2020.

They were married over 70 years, faced many challenges and hardships together. But with God, family and friends close to her, Kam found the strength to continue on. In so doing, she continued to be an inspiration to all those around her.

When she fell critically ill and realized the end was near, Kam faced this revelation with the same courage and strength she faced all other crises in her life. She accepted that this was her time, and that it was God’s will she join Him in Heaven.

Wan Kam Leong passed away peacefully and without pain. Her quiet grace, bravery and strength in passing is as much an inspiration to all who knew her as her hard work and sacrifice in life.

God bless you always, Mom. May flights of angels see thee to thy rest.