Julia Wong Kwan

Julia Wong Kwan, 1931-2013

Julia Wong Kwan, age 81, died peacefully at home in Los Angeles, California on December 9, 2013.

Born December 25, 1931, in Hong Kong, Julia was the eldest of five children -- the tallest, the healthiest, the strongest and the best looking. Julia grew up during WWII. As her family travelled from place to place as refugees, Julia was always the main luggage handler and minder of the younger children, though she was only in her early teens. When they settled in a town, she did the marketing and all the chores that involved physical strength. She was her mother's right-hand helper and was the big sister to her brothers and sisters Louis, Teresa, Paul and Annie. They remained close all their lives.

On her family's return to Hong Kong after the war, Julia attended Maryknoll Convent School. She married in 1951 and had three children, Josephine (a.k.a. Kathy), Grace and Lionel. After her divorce, Julia resettled in Los Angeles, where she married Hiram Kwan in 1964 and gave birth to her daughter, Angelina, in 1965.

Julia's passion was always gems and jewelry. Dressing well, her sparkling finery and her beauty earned her the nickname "Christmas Tree" amongst her friends and family. She became a gemologist after completing an intensive study programme of gems and jewelry design at the Gemological Institute of America. Thereafter, she established Jadefinger, a successful jewelry boutique, which she managed for over 25 years. Upon her retirement, Julia closed the boutique and donated much of her stock to endow the "Julia Kwan Scholarship" at the School of Law at Pepperdine University.

Julia enjoyed life. She had a set of wonderful friends whom she would see on a regular basis. She loved her snacks, good food, reading, travelling, shopping and looking at beautiful things. She also loved to help people - be it serving coffee to church members at the United Methodist Church, Westwood or helping friends and strangers in need. She always had a big heart, serving and taking care of others whenever she could.

In the final years of her life, Julia fought bravely against the progressively debilitating symptoms of Parkinson's disease. She continued to visit her family in Asia and together they explored Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Angkor Wat, Penang, Yangon, Bagan, and even ventured a river boat cruise in Russia. She enjoyed every trip and longed to go everywhere whilst she could. Thus was her thirst for life!

On December 9, 2013, Julia was all dressed up to go shopping but was called to Heaven instead.