Obituaries Sau Wah "Susie" Wong
“Susie” from Ho Sai Gai
Sau Wah “Susie” Wong was born Sau Wah Ho in Fujian, China on May 5, 1933, moved to Amoy, China (Now Xiamen, China). Susie passed away peacefully on Aug. 24, 2024 at Jefferson Abington Hospital due to natural causes at the age of 91. Susie was the daughter of Yang Shui Chan and Yan Kit Ho. She was one of thirteen siblings. Susie was the proud mother of three children (Jade Dean, John, Janice), grandmother of three (John, Katie, Angelina), and great grandmother of three (Eva, Naomi, Kateryna).
Born and growing up in impoverished and in occupied wartime southern China, Susie survived starvation, epidemic, and disease. As a 6 year old, she survived a military machine gun attack because victims were piled above her. Her family eventually moved to Hong Kong during her teen years. She had a beautiful singing voice which won her a radio show contest and wished to become a singer however because of no sponsor and because of being female this was not to be. . While in Hong Kong, she married and moved with her husband Li Puo Wong to the United States in the 1950’s, settling in Philadelphia, PA.
With only a basic education while growing up in poverty in wartime southern China, she grew wise much beyond her formal education, and taught the value of education to her children and grandchildren. When Susie immigrated to the US, she did not know any English. She eventually taught herself the language much by watching cartoons on TV and could converse in over 5 dialects of Chinese. Among her children and grandchildren are three Ivy Leaguers, a Registered Respiratory Therapist, and a PhD of Engineering.
Starting out as an immigrant in the late 1950’s, Susie worked at the Great Wall Chinese restaurant on the Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia to help make a living while raising her family. She and her husband then opened their own restaurant China Palace in Elkins Park-until the early 1970’s after which with a partner, she co-founded the landmark Ho Sai Gai Restaurant located in Philadelphia’s Chinatown district. There they revolutionized the concept of Chinese food in a restaurant. Cantonese cooking was now joined by Szechuan or Hunan styles of food , This was completely new to the public as well as a fresh modern presentation of table wear and service common to today’s standard. For decades, Susie was the love of many loyal customers from all walks of life, including everyday hard workers in the labor force, doctors, news people, sports celebrities,musicians, cab drivers, students, factory workers, fellow restaurant owners, servers, bartenders, just everyone that would seek out her out in Chinatown for a late meal and kind words. Susie knew how to talk to and relate to anyone. She made you feel welcome and delighted with her food and her wit.
Susie was a selfless, kind and hardworking woman. She never gave up on her voracious love of learning. Only standing 4’10” tall she was always an indomitable force. She always saw the bright side of others and throughout her long life could never understand why people would want to hurt, cheat or hate one another. She always understood the good side of people, even when she encountered personal tragedies. She loved playing mahjong, watching sports- knew all the players strengths/ weaknesses and debating with her kids and grandkids the big world news topics of the day. She taught them to question everything and learn how to defend what you believe in yet be respectful when others felt differently from you. She was loved by her family and friends and will greatly be missed. She truly was a heroic example of the American Dream made real.
Services and intermen were private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to UNIICEF at https://www.unicefusa.org
Service and Interment will be held privately
Services and Interment will be held privately
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