City Council March 18th, 2020
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Elizabeth "Bessie" Fong has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God to her eternal reward; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of her passing by the Honorable Patrick D. Thompson, Alderman of the 11th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth was born in Taishan, China, Guangdong Province in 1934, war and economic hardship separated Elizabeth from her parents when she was young; It would take her several years to get to America once the war ended in 1947 to finally reach Angel Island in 1949; Through determination, she finally reunited with her parents in Chicago around 1950, entering the USA during the time of the Chinese Exclusion Act; Having very little schooling prior to arriving in the States, she learned English, sharpened her math skills, strengthened her Catholic faith, and graduated from St. Thomas the Apostle High School in Hyde Park amid a bevy of newfound American friends; While working on her degree in Business Administration at DePaul University, to the delight of her many friends and loving extended family, DePaul University recognized Elizabeth's natural poise, grace and beauty when she was granted the distinction of May Queen in 1958; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth continued to ride her wave of American independence and prosperity to become one of an exclusive coterie of female restaurant owners in San Francisco, California while simultaneously lovingly raising four daughters with a focus on Chinese food, more food, and an unwavering Catholic vision of the Divine goodness in life; Her abundant faith inspired her children to find their paths to truth and love in building their own families; amd
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Fong is survived by a brother, Gordon Show, four daughters, Joyce Fong (husband: George), Lyndell Fong-Jones (husband: Alan, and grandchildren Mieran and Ava), Caroline Fong Weimer (husband: Brian, and grandchildren Abby, Adam, Charlotte, Lillian) and Lori Fong (wife: Nadine and ...
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