Published March 15, 2019
MALDEN — Meiling (Wong) Hong, 91, a longtime resident of Malden, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading.
Meiling was born in Boston in 1928, one of nine children of the late Wong Jee and Woo Suen Gail. While visiting the Hoiping district of China in the mid- 1930’s with her parents, all U.S. citizens, Meiling and her family were kept from returning home to the United States due to the onset of World War II and the Japanese occupation. At the end of the war, Meiling and her family were finally able to return to the U.S. in 1946, and resided in Roslindale and Chinatown through the early 1950’s. On January 22, 1956, she was married to Robert C. Hong in Boston and together they settled in Malden to raise a family of three sons.
Meiling’s family had immigrated to the United States before the turn of the 20th century, and eventually found a home in the Boston area. While residing in the suburbs with her own family, Meiling was able to keep her Chinese cultural roots close to her heart through regular visits back to Chinatown. A devoted mother, Meiling always remained proud of the bonds shared between her sons, and her extended family.
Meiling’s self reliance and determined mind were shaped while growing up in a war zone during WWII. She placed utmost importance and value on family, and took great pride in raising a close knit and strong, supportive family. As a family woman first, Meiling based her life around the well-being of her husband and three sons. She and Robert were most appreciative to be recognized by the Mayor of the City of Malden at their 60th Diamond wedding anniversary in 2016.
Through the years, Meiling always appreciated and embraced the simple things in life. Most of all was her family, but she also had a deep love for nature. With a love for flowers, she looked forward to spring time every year to watch her garden come to life. She planted tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and more recently pansies, marigolds, and coleus. During the summers, she found joy in numerous day trips to visit and walk along the seashores up and down the New England coast. A natural caregiver, she took exceptional care of friends and family, always ready with a hot meal. She took pride in celebrating the Chinese New Year with Amaryllis bulbs, and special cuisine to honor the occasion. With every baseball season, for many years she enjoyed following the Red Sox either listening on the radio or watching the games on TV.
Later in life, she and her husband Robert, a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, began traveling to various reunions for veterans groups throughout the United States. She thoroughly enjoyed the company of her husband’s comrades and their spouses, reuniting with old friends and always making new acquaintances along the way.
With her great health and strength at 91, Meiling’s loss leaves a deep void, but her genuine caring spirit and love for family will continue to be a source of strength for her family. She will be forever missed.
Meiling was the beloved wife of Robert C. Hong with whom she shared 63 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Gregory Hong of Montclair, Calif., Walter Hong and his wife Alice Chan of Reading, and Austin Hong of Malden. Dear sister of Jennie Wong Chin of Salem, Lucy Wong Ng of Calif., and the late Gay Wong Chew, James Wong, Philip Wong, Perry Wong, George Wong, and Ark Loo Wong. Loving grandmother of David Hong and his wife Maggie, Justin Hong and his wife Katie, Alexander Hong and his wife Elizabeth, Eric Hong, Matthew Hong, and Christina Hong. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Meiling’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Monday, March 11 and again on Tuesday March 12 for her funeral service. Interment at Forest Dale Cemetery, Malden. For online tribute, or directions visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com
