Liza Sudargo

Liza Sudargo, 83, died at 8:15 pm on Friday, January 11, 2019 at the Mesa Glen Care Center in Glendora, CA.
She is survived by her sister Wie Hong Go and husband Subianto Leonardi, Singapore; 4 sons, Joseph Thio and wife Lina, CA; Johannes Tirtadjaja and wife Weling Taij, CA; Jacob Tirtadjaja and wife Linggiwati Muliady, Indonesia; Tommy Jones Thio and wife Stacy Lam, WA; 8 grandchildren, Michael Thio and wife Jerly, Dennis Thio and wife Karmen, Ellen Thio and husband Matthew Nguyen, Christina Tirtadjaja and husband Santiago Altamirano, Theresia Tirtadjaja and husband Bryant Lee, Fransisca Tirtadjaja, Evelyn Tirtadjaja and Kathleen Tirtadjaja; 6 great grandchildren, Amanda Thio, Ariel Thio, Ayden Thio, Landon Nguyen, Johannes C. Altamirano and Dominic Altamirano; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by husband Ridgeway Thio, father Sing King Go and mother Kwie Eng Yap.
Liza was born September 10, 1935 in Surabaya, Indonesia and was able to go to America to give her adopted son a better opportunity than what she had. She lived during the Netherlands occupation in Indonesia, where she was able to attend elementary school and learn Dutch. The situation worsens when Japan invaded Indonesia and overthrew the Netherlands' control. For 3 years they lived in, their father's home-made bomb shelter and was not able to attend school or go to church.
In 1945 Indonesia became independent and as teen she saw many of her friends go to America by the church's aboard educational program. It was her dream to become a lawyer. As a traditional Chinese family, she was not able to further her educational aspirations. In spite the disappointment she believed that America was a better opportunity for her. In 1955 she married Ridgeway Thio (Keng Tuan Thio) where they had 3 sons (Joseph, Johannes and Jacob) and 1 adopted son (Tommy). She was a devout 7th Day Adventist Church member and in her daily life she would always incorporate God and his purpose as part of her decision making process. She was always lending a hand and gave hope to the disadvantaged and the needy. Although her family was not wealthy, she tried to contribute as much as she could for them. She had a generous heart and kindness to her. In her later years, when the opportunity to move and live in America emerge she took it, knowing it would provide a better life, education and better prospects for her adopted son. She was persistent with her husband and was determined to have her desires realized and in the end she able to fulfill one of her dreams.
In life Liza was a reserved person, but compassionate in her beliefs. She was polite and welcoming to strangers and love ones alike. She believed in edification and strongly believe that everyone deserved kindness no matter what your station. She was a simple person, she didn't need much, she enjoys the simple pleasures in life; eating with her family, windowing shopping or just a car ride through the hills of Pasadena. She tried to instill her beliefs in her children. She was a kind-hearted person who always had a smile on her face.