OBITUARIES
Jan. 15, 1938 - July 21, 2017
Danny Smith
82, Former El Centro resident
Isabel Wong
79, Calexico
Isabel Wong, 79, of Calexico passed away on Friday, July 21, 2017 of a Heart Attack at Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas Mexico.
Isabel Wong, also known as Ana or Anita by her family and neighbors, and Chavela or Chavelita by her community friends, married Ying Lun Wong, her husband of 52 years. Together, they purchased their home in Calexico in 1960 and that is the home she lived at for the past 57 years. Isabel learned to speak English quickly by taking night English classes at the local high school. Isabel was incredibly active her entire adult life and up until the past 10 years, she rode her bicycle almost everywhere she went.
When her children entered school, she quickly became a fixture at her children’s schools by attending PTA meetings, chaperoning school events, and organizing fundraising and other activities. She worked part-time at the De Anza Hotel and the Border Motel, worked as an election poll worker, and also was a long-time Crossing Guard at Dool School. Isabel loved her country and became an American citizen in her early 30’s. She and her late husband taught their children the importance of voting! In her neighborhood, people knew they could go to her if they needed help with anything. For over 50 years, Isabel lent a hand at numerous events and organizations that benefit senior citizens, low-income people, immigrants, farm workers, sick people, and children, and also attended City Council meetings where she learned that our voices and votes do count. She campaigned for politicians and supported measures she felt would improve Calexico. Her decades-long role as an Activist was initially ignited while volunteering at the EOC beginning around 1969, and eventually using that passion as a founding member of the Senior Citizens Club, now known as the Club de los Amigos. Her children remember that Isabel gave her time and energy to places such as the Neighborhood House, Campesinos Unidos, Women’s Haven, the Community Center, Kennedy Gardens, CRLA, Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo, SHARE distribution, and Farm Workers, to name a few.
Although she won numerous awards for service, she never sought recognition. Isabel’s family remembers her as a loving, giving, energetic, wise, thoughtful, generous, fun and funny, humble woman, who made awesome tortillas! But mostly, they remember she was the most popular person in their household, measured by the number of daily phone calls she received by friends or people needing her help or support. There were never any quick errands to run with her because she knew everyone and everyone knew her! Isabel made time for everyone, including carving out time in her busy schedule to attend Dodger games. In addition to her love of baseball, Isabel loved to travel and was lucky to have traveled all over the world. This year alone, she traveled across our country from New York to Texas to Washington, to Hawaii, and even to Europe. Isabel was outgoing but private, and did not like anyone fussing over her. It gives her children and family great comfort to know she died while traveling in Mexico, where she loved to tour at every summer.
Isabel was preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Ying Lun Wong and her beautiful daughter-in-law, Carmen Wong.
Survivors include her five children, Fallan Wong from Indio, CA, Cynthia Rosas from San Jose, CA, Christine Wong Ramirez from Pomona, CA, Connie Book from San Ramon, CA and Michael Wong from Honolulu, HI; her three sons-in-law, Efren Rosas, Ed Book, Jose Ramirez; and her eight pride and joy grandchildren:, Michelle Wong, Daniel Rosas, Matthew Wong-Ayon, Diana Wong, David Rosas, Isabella Book, Cianna Book, and Brielle Book.Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Calexico, CA from 8 to 12 p.m. with Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and will be officiated by Father Miguel Campos.