Jeong Won

Jeong Hee Won went to be with the Lord at age 76 on the 13^th of September 2023.  She passed away peacefully in her home in South Pasadena, California surrounded by her immediate family after courageously battling thymic carcinoma for 3.5 years.  She is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Joha Hyun Won; 3 cherished daughters: Sandra (David Sohn), Carol (Eugene Kim), Debbie (Alex Stark); and 7 beloved grandchildren: Elisabeth, Audrey, Emily, Abraham, Esther, DongHo, and DongJin.  

Jeong graduated from Kyunggi Girls High School in Seoul, Korea in 1965, then from Sogang Jesuit College in 1969.  Jeong and Joha married in 1970 and came to the U.S. to study abroad.  She chose to support her husband, while he completed his studies, for the sake of her family, over pursuing her own graduate studies.  She worked at several large banks – First National City Bank of Seoul, Korea; First National Bank of Lincoln, Nebraska; Texas Commerce Bank of Austin, Texas; and Central Carolina Bank in North Carolina.  

Known for her understated inner strength and beautiful giving spirit, Jeong poured herself out to care for her husband, daughters, sons-in-laws, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors.  After retirement, Jeong became an avid hiker, and enjoyed traveling with friends and family around the world.  Among many other adventures, at the age of 53, Jeong climbed to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Jeong and Joha settled in Chapel Hill, NC, where she enjoyed being a faithful friend and playing golf in the Governor’s Club community.  All those around her loved her warm friendship and delicious cooking.  Her greatest joy was having her children and grandchildren in her home or on fun trips to the beach and other spots she and Joha enjoyed taking the family.  

In 2020, she was diagnosed with thymic carcinoma and bravely endured surgeries and intensive treatments both at Duke University Cancer Center and City of Hope.  Even in her hardest times, Jeong blessed her loved ones with her kind spirit, joyful laugh, and Christ-like sacrificial love.  She will be deeply missed and leaves a legacy of faith, family, and friendship.  

The family is grateful for the care provided by Dr. Jeffrey Crawford (Duke University Medical Center) Dr. Giuseppe Giaccone (Cornell University Medical Center) Dr. Ravi Salgia & Razmig Babikian (City of Hope), Dr. Michael Wang, the providers at Healing Care Hospice. Those who would like to help advance research to fight thymic carcinoma are encouraged to make a donation to the Thymic Carcinoma Center at https://thymiccarcinomacenter-bloom.kindful.com/.  A memorial service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks in Glendale, CA on 29^th September 2023, 2:30pm.