Sylvia Wong was a trailblazer. She passed away peacefully on November 29, 2024, embraced by the love of her devoted husband of 55 years, her three cherished sons, two beloved daughters-in-law, four adoring grandsons, and her extended family who meant the world to her.
Sylvia was born in Hong Kong and raised by her widowed mother, Wong Yuk Chee. She graduated from elementary and high school in Hong Kong while helping her mother run a small business after school. After passing the Hong Kong High School public examination, she attended the Grantham Teacher Training College and taught elementary school, where she saved money for five years to pursue a university degree. Her efforts paid off when she was admitted to McMaster University, one of Canada’s most esteemed institutions. Sylvia then earned a Master’s Degree in Library Science with high honors from the State University of New York, which led to her appointment as the head of the periodicals department at the McMaster University Health Sciences Library.
While advancing her own education, Sylvia also inspired her husband to advance his. With her unwavering support, he transitioned into the health sciences field from his government classified field of hypersonic aerodynamics. Their journey eventually brought them to the United States, where Sylvia mastered her next act—real estate. She became a top producer for Coldwell Banker, one of the world’s largest residential brokerage firms. She was recognized as the Worldwide Number One Sales Associate for the most closed listings, most closed buyer-controlled sales, and most closed escrows among 45,000 sales associates across 4,000 offices globally. She later started her own brokerage firm, where she continued to serve her loyal and longstanding clients.
Sylvia embodied the values of hard work, thrift, integrity, and a deep commitment to giving back. Together with her husband, she was a steadfast supporter of education, healthcare, and children’s welfare initiatives across Canada, China, and the United States, with a special devotion to her Stockton community. Sylvia’s legacy of giving endures through the Dr. Henry and Sylvia Wong Foundation that she and her husband established, which will continue her philanthropic mission for generations to come.
Visitation & Memorial Service
A visitation will be held at the Cherokee Memorial Park & Funeral Home’s Vineyard Chapel, 14165 Beckman Road, Lodi, CA, at the following times and dates:
- Visitation: Thursday, December 12, from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Friday, December 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
- Memorial service: Friday, December 13 at 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
In memory of Sylvia, please consider making a donation to the St. Joseph’s Foundation of San Joaquin (to support the St. Joseph’s Medical Center) in lieu of flowers.
Leave a Reply