Elizabeth "Bessie" Fong

Elizabeth passed into Heaven to the arms of God Our Father, Friday, February 21, 2020. 

Born in Taishan, China, Guangdong Province in 1934, war and economic hardship separated Elizabeth from her parents when she was young.  It would take her several years to get to America once the war ended in 1947 to finally reach Angel Island in 1949.  Through determination, she finally reunited with her parents in Chicago around 1950, entering the USA during the time of the Chinese Exclusion Act. Having very little schooling prior to arriving in the States, she learned English, sharpened her math skills, strengthened her Catholic faith, and graduated from St. Thomas the Apostle High School in Hyde Park amid a bevy of newfound American friends.  While working on her degree in Business Administration at DePaul University, to the delight of her many friends and loving extended family, DePaul University recognized Elizabeth’s natural poise, grace and beauty when she was granted the distinction of May Queen in 1958. 

During her marriage, Elizabeth continued to ride her wave of American independence and prosperity to become one of an exclusive coterie of female restaurant owners in San Francisco, California while simultaneously lovingly raising four daughters with a focus on Chinese food, more food, and an unwavering Catholic vision of the Divine goodness in life.  Her abundant faith inspired her children to find their paths to truth and love in building their own families.

In restful retirement, Elizabeth devoted herself to travel to friends and family, service to others through Northwestern Memorial Hospital, art classes, knitting classes, and a continued devotion to her faith. 

Elizabeth is survived by a brother, Gordon Show, four daughters, Joyce Fong (husband: George), Lyndell Fong-Jones (husband: Alan, and grandchildren Mieran and Ava) , Caroline Fong Weimer (husband: Brian, and grandchildren Abby, Adam, Charlotte, Lillian) and Lori Fong (wife:  Nadine and grandchildren Nicholas, Gabriel, Olivia, Noah) and numerous other relatives, all of whom remember and celebrate her gentle and giving spirit. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elizabeth "Bessie" Fong, please visit our floral store.