1937
Lily
2009
Lily Fong
February 14, 1937 — July 21, 2009
Lily was born February 14, 1937 in Nanking, China, to Dr. Chih Fang and Madame Ih-Chi Fang. She moved from China to the United States in 1955, graduating with honors from St. Anthony’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1958, passing her state board test and becoming a Registered Nurse that same year. On August 22, 1959 she married Don Leon Fong at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Amarillo.
Lily graduated from Amarillo College with an Associate Degree. She continued graduate studies at Incarnate Word University in San Antonio and Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1962 in Waukegan, Illinois. Lily moved around the United States, following her husband while he completed his medical residency and internship with the U.S. Navy. She was associated with Parkland Hospital in Dallas; Barnett Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey; Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi; and Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. and Mrs. Fong moved back to Amarillo in 1971, when he opened his private orthopedic practice. She worked for 31 years as Office Manager and orthopedic nurse for her husband, until they both retired in 2002.
Lily was very active in civic organizations. She was an original member of the Board of Directors of Don Harrington Discovery Center in Amarillo, a founding life member of the Amarillo Art Force, a senior advisor to Amarillo Junior League, a past Board President of Amarillo Little Theatre, and an original supporter of the Amarillo Suzuki Music Program. She was also active in the Amarillo Medical Auxiliary and supported the Amarillo Symphony, and Amarillo Opera.
Her religious faith was the keystone of her life. She was a long time member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, singing in the choir for 25 years. She taught and had lasting influence through the Confraternity Christian Doctrine program. Lily was active in the Sino-Amity Foundation, which provides educational scholarships for foreign students.
Lily and Leon were avid travelers, visiting nearly every country in the world. In 1994 she had the honor to perform in Rome, Italy with the St. Thomas Choir for Pope John Paul II. She also enjoyed gardening, music, family, and her grandchildren, whom she taught and exemplified fine values.
Lily was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Catherine and Shirley.
Lily is survived by her husband, Dr. Don Leon Fong; daughters Debra Fong and husband Christopher Costanza of Palo Alto, CA; Katherine Fong of New York City; sons Michael Fong and wife Cheryl of Lubbock and Donald Fong of Basking Ridge, New Jersey; five sisters, Grace Sui of West Bloomfield, Michigan; Ann Fang Chen of San Leandro, California; Emily Yen of San Jose, California; Edith Fang of Somerville, Massachusetts; Irene Yeh of Palo Alto, California; brothers Fred Fang of Scarsdale, New York and David Fang of Somerville, Massachusetts; grandchildren Isabella, Ryan, and Lauren.
Lily graduated from Amarillo College with an Associate Degree. She continued graduate studies at Incarnate Word University in San Antonio and Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1962 in Waukegan, Illinois. Lily moved around the United States, following her husband while he completed his medical residency and internship with the U.S. Navy. She was associated with Parkland Hospital in Dallas; Barnett Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey; Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi; and Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. and Mrs. Fong moved back to Amarillo in 1971, when he opened his private orthopedic practice. She worked for 31 years as Office Manager and orthopedic nurse for her husband, until they both retired in 2002.
Lily was very active in civic organizations. She was an original member of the Board of Directors of Don Harrington Discovery Center in Amarillo, a founding life member of the Amarillo Art Force, a senior advisor to Amarillo Junior League, a past Board President of Amarillo Little Theatre, and an original supporter of the Amarillo Suzuki Music Program. She was also active in the Amarillo Medical Auxiliary and supported the Amarillo Symphony, and Amarillo Opera.
Her religious faith was the keystone of her life. She was a long time member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, singing in the choir for 25 years. She taught and had lasting influence through the Confraternity Christian Doctrine program. Lily was active in the Sino-Amity Foundation, which provides educational scholarships for foreign students.
Lily and Leon were avid travelers, visiting nearly every country in the world. In 1994 she had the honor to perform in Rome, Italy with the St. Thomas Choir for Pope John Paul II. She also enjoyed gardening, music, family, and her grandchildren, whom she taught and exemplified fine values.
Lily was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Catherine and Shirley.
Lily is survived by her husband, Dr. Don Leon Fong; daughters Debra Fong and husband Christopher Costanza of Palo Alto, CA; Katherine Fong of New York City; sons Michael Fong and wife Cheryl of Lubbock and Donald Fong of Basking Ridge, New Jersey; five sisters, Grace Sui of West Bloomfield, Michigan; Ann Fang Chen of San Leandro, California; Emily Yen of San Jose, California; Edith Fang of Somerville, Massachusetts; Irene Yeh of Palo Alto, California; brothers Fred Fang of Scarsdale, New York and David Fang of Somerville, Massachusetts; grandchildren Isabella, Ryan, and Lauren.
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