Frances Wong

Frances Wong, 97, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 9, 2021. She will be dearly missed by her family who count themselves fortunate to be graced by her charming wit and generous heart during her lifetime.

Frances was born in San Francisco to Lee Duc Yuk and Lum Bow Sung, the fourth of six daughters from her father's first marriage. She was known for being independent and self-sufficient – she remained single throughout her life, instead preferring the company of her siblings, nieces, and nephews.

When she wasn't enjoying time with her family, Frances was becoming an accomplished seamstress. In her youth, she was known to hand sew a dress she had seen earlier in the store. She continued to make numerous outfits this way for herself and others throughout her lifetime. When she moved back to the United States from China in 1947, she and her sister, Nancy, went to work at a sewing factory with their sister, Rose. It was there that she learned to sew on power machines, a talent she mastered easily. She was so proficient that her work was the sample garment shown to clothing buyers and the pattern that other seamstresses would follow. Eventually Frances would open her own successful sewing business, Lum's Fashions, which she operated with her sisters until she retired. In retirement, Frances enjoyed spending time with her sisters, including traveling with them on trips to Europe and Asia.

Those of us who are lucky to know Frances will remember how she took every speed bump a little too fast, how she pitched in on every home cooked feast, and how she generously gave herself to help each of us when we needed it.

Frances is survived by her sister, Elaine, step-brother, Kwong (Anita), step-sisters Sharon, Wong, and Min, and numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces.

If you would like to remember Frances with a charitable donation, please donate to the American Red Cross, which helped to sustain and support her family in Macau during World War II.