Dorothy Jan Wong (nee Chu)

May 19, 1930 – June 8, 2015

With her loving family at her side, Dorothy J. Wong passed away peacefully at home on June 8, 2015. Dorothy Wong (nee Chu) was the beloved matriarch of a large family that included her husband of 61 years, Victor; her 5 children and their spouses Karen, Greg (Becky), Kim (Rick), Regan (Debbie), Tracy (Brendan); 13 grandchildren and their spouses Allyson (Adam), Melissa (Sean), Amanda (Brett), Ryan, Megan (Jordan), Michael, Christopher, Katie, Kimberly (Shane), Alix, Rachel, Emma and Gregory and 4 great grandchildren Caleb, Liam, Brayden and Kobe.

Family always came first for Dorothy, beginning with her birth on May 19, 1930 to loving parents Chu Gum Yuk (Charlie York) and Chow Jyt Shee in Nanaimo, BC.  Dorothy was the seventh daughter of the York clan that grew to include 13 children (11 sisters and 1 brother) Grace, Eileen,* Margaret,* Mary Sew, Joyce,* Mary,* Alfred,* Joan,* Betty, Rose, Pat and Judy. During the Depression, the hard working York family was very focused on running the family business (Charlie York Clothiers) and Dorothy learned skills as a tailor/seamstress and retail sales clerk during those early years that stood her in good stead later in life. As the York clan expanded to include in-laws and children, family continued to be paramount in Dorothy’s life. For years, three generations of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered to enjoy summer beach trips, picnics, holiday weekends and other family outings and events (especially Christmas) together.

While attending the wedding of a mutual family friend, a teenage Dorothy caught the eye of a young man, Victor Eric Wong. Eventually, Victor asked Dorothy to a skating party and the two struck up a lengthy correspondence. After Victor returned from WWII as a veteran, they courted and became engaged. Victor and Dorothy were married on April 15th, 1954 in Victoria. During the early years of their marriage, they lived in both Nanaimo and Victoria, finally settling in Victoria.

Victor worked as a realtor, while Dorothy was a stay-at-home mom raising a family of five. Although her focus was on her young children, Dorothy made time for her part time business, tailoring and making custom clothing for her select clients. Later when the children were older, Dorothy became a retail sales clerk at Eaton’s department store, where she worked for more than 25 years. Dorothy was a great sales person and even after she “officially” retired at age 65, a sales manager asked her to come back to work, as she was “one of her best sales clerks.” (Of course, Dorothy obliged.) Dorothy eventually “retired” to work as a volunteer in the gift shop at the Greater Victoria Art Gallery and the Abkhazi Gardens and to babysit her great grandchildren on a regular basis.

Dorothy had an unmatched zest for life and she truly lived each day with joy and humour. She was an engaged and sociable person with varied interests (arts, antiques, sports, politics, entertainment, fashion, design and decor, cooking and sewing) shared with all the friends and family in her life. Dorothy especially enjoyed the time spent with her longstanding mah jong friends – playing, visiting, chatting and eating. But most of all, Dorothy exemplified her motto “Family first.” All her life she continued to enjoy family vacations (Cruise anyone? Roadtrip anyone?), outings (Casino anyone? Shopping anyone?), holidays, reunions and picnics (or any excuse to join friends and family for a meal) with the extended York clan, as well as her own family. In the last few months, she cherished the time we spent together as a family at Morningside. We have been blessed and are grateful that for more than 40 years, Dorothy presided over Sunday dinners and family holidays (especially Easter and Christmas) that included all four generations of her family.

Dorothy (and Victor) taught us the value of family and the meaning of love throughout their lives and have shown our extended family how to truly live a good life. Although our hearts grieve, the love, gratitude and respect that we feel for Dorothy reflects the enduring legacy of love she created for her family.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. David G. Woodley for the kind and attentive medical care he gave to our mom. We are also grateful to the palliative and home care nurses and members, including Judy, Jill, John, Chrystal and Arnold. Thank you to Dr. Saltman (BC Cancer Clinic) and Dr. Ross (Oncology Surgeon) and all the medical staff at the hospitals that attended mom this past year. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all of the family caregivers and family helpers. We could not have cared for mom without you.

In accordance with Dorothy’s wishes, a private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Victoria Hospice, BC Cancer Foundation or the Red Cross in Dorothy’s honour.

Please note: * denotes siblings that predeceased Dorothy. We regret that we could not individually name all the family and friends that meant so much to Dorothy in this obituary.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com