Mary Kong

Mary Kong was born on July 13, 1945, in San Jose, California, to Dick Bot Kong and Ng Shee Kong. She spent her entire life in the close-knit community of North 6th Street, living at both 882 and 828 North 6th in San Jose.

Mary grew up surrounded by her loving siblings: Margaret, Jone, Sing, Alice, Pearl, and Bowman. Her father owned and operated State Meat Market in San Jose and State Market in Sunnyvale. While the boys in the family learned the meat business, the girls helped run the grocery side. After the stores eventually closed, Mary remained dedicated to the grocery business, working in it for over 35 years.

She attended Horace Mann Elementary, Peter Burnett Middle School, and San Jose High School—proudly rooted in the San Jose Unified School District. Mary had a nurturing heart and found joy in caring for her nieces and nephews: Sandra, Harvey, Leslie, Cindy, Patrick, Emily, Richard, Jennifer, Suzanne, Brian, and Melissa. In later years, it was a special blessing for Mary when Emily, Jennifer, and Suzanne returned that love and care to her.

Mary loved to travel, especially to Disneyland and Disney World, where watching the joy of the children brought her immense happiness. She also enjoyed trips to Lake Tahoe, Reno, Chukchansi, and Las Vegas—where she always seemed to have luck on her side at the slot machines. In her later years, Mary enjoyed cruises with Bowman and Maureen, setting sail from San Francisco to destinations including Alaska, the Pacific Coast, Hawaii, and Mexico. These cruises offered her the excitement of new adventures, fine dining, and lively entertainment.

One of Mary’s greatest joys was spending time with her sister Pearl. Whether it was going on little outings or indulging in their shared love of shopping, they were inseparable—just like Lucy and Ethel from the classic I Love Lucy show.

More than anything, Mary treasured her family. Her life was grounded in love, laughter, and a deep sense of connection. She looked forward to reuniting with her beloved parents one day, and she felt incredibly grateful to have shared her life with those she held dear.

Mary will be remembered for her kindness, her devotion to family, and the joy she brought into everyday moments. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.