Mamie Wong

We are saddened to announce Mamie Wong passed away on December 25th after valiantly battling cancer. She died at home surrounded by loved ones.

Tam Foon Mae was born on April 21, 1942 in a small village in southern China. At a young age her family moved to Hong Kong where she later met her husband. She emigrated to Watsonville in 1962. By the age of 23 she had a 3 year old, an 11 month old and a newborn. She was a wonderful mother and wife, always putting everyone’s needs before her own. She worked nights at the Green Giant cannery when her children were in grade school. In 1977 she and her husband bought a convenience store named “The Little Supermarket“ in Santa Cruz’s Pleasure Point neighborhood. There was a house above the store where they continued to raise their children.

They retired in 1998, returning to Watsonville to focus on being grandparents. Mamie also enjoyed mah jong and frequent walks around the neighborhood. She traveled often with family and friends. Her greatest joy by far was time spent with family.

Mamie is survived by her husband Jimmy Wong; her two children: Tayward Wong (Erin Wong), Elizabeth Wong (Lawrence Chin); her four grandchildren: Ruby Wong, Max Wong (Nina Valera-Wong), Michaela Chin, Jordan Chin; her two brothers: Jason Tam (Lai San), Rogers Tam; her husband’s siblings; Dickie Wong (Shirley), Jerry Wong (Gloria), Janis MacDonnell (Steve); and many nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents and her eldest son Taylor.

A memorial service will be held on January 8th at the Ave Maria Memorial Chapel located in Watsonville at 10:00am, followed by a procession to the Pajaro Valley Memorial Park and a reception at Golden China immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.