Jena Veronica Chong
elevated 0tfHb December 29, 1925 ~ February 16, 2023
elevated 0tfHb Visitation
Friday February 24, 2023 from 10:30 to 11:30 (Tributes begin at 10:45)
elevated 0tfHb Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6
elevated 0tfHb The funeral home is located at 211 Langstaff Road East on the Bayview side of the cemetery. Please enter through the Langstaff Road East gates and take the first road on the left to get to the funeral home.
elevated 0tfHb Funeral Mass
Chapel of St. Joseph – Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
elevated 0tfHb Friday February 24, 2023 from 12:00 to 13:00. Livestream link is below.
elevated 0tfHb Click Here to View the Funeral Mass
elevated 0tfHb Reception – (Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home)
elevated 0tfHb Friday February 24, 2023 from 13:00 to 15:00
elevated 0tfHb The family strongly recommends wearing a mask for safety.
elevated 0tfHb Obituary
elevated 0tfHb Passed peacefully, surrounded by family at Sunnybrook Hospital, on February 16, 2023. Born in Hanover, Jamaica, to Elma (Stone) and William Lee Choy, on December 29, 1925.
elevated 0tfHb In Jamaica, she met and married Edward Chong (deceased) and together they raised six children: Gloria (Ken Hoo, deceased), Adrienne (Dr. Gilbert Aarons), Bev (Franklin Lue), Pixie Chung (Dr. Doug Andrews), Larry (Pat Chung), and Les Chung (Neil Kinnear).
elevated 0tfHb She was greatly loved by siblings: Myrtle (deceased), Polly, Sylbert, Elizabeth (deceased), and Pat; her children and spouses; thirteen grandchildren – Stephen Hoo (Connie Shepherd), Ian Hoo, Mike Hoo (Ellen Matheson), Denise Hoo (Wally Hoo-Fung), Warren Aarons, Raymond Aarons (Sally Tchantova), Dr. Andrew Aarons, Tracey Lue, Frances Lue, David Lue (Karen), Robert Andrews (deceased), Severin Andrews, Lauren Chung; and six great-grandchildren – Ethan Hoo, Dylan Hoo, Kennedy Hoo, Isaiah Hoo-Fung, Isla Hoo-Fung, and Jade Hoo; and many extended family members.
elevated 0tfHb Her professional career included running a family business and teaching. She ended her Jamaican career as the Bursar at Immaculate Conception High School. In 1976, she moved to Canada and worked in accounting until retirement. She had a passion for community service, lifelong learning (formal and self-taught), poetry, art, music, literature (especially Shakespeare), and was a vocal armchair coach for the Toronto Blue Jays.
elevated 0tfHb Should you wish, donations may be made to Sunnybrook (Hospital) Foundation, Tsung Tsin Association (not tax deductible), or a charity of your choice.
I met her several times, and my memories of her are how cheerful she always was, how she loved and adored her family and loved Karaoke. Rest in peace.
We will cherish your kind and comforting words in the days to come. Thank you.
I remember Mrs Chong and seeing that the families she nutured stretch way beyond the home from husband, children and relatives, to the family business, to students and the finance team at Immaculate, moving and settling in Canada, community service, keen interest in the fine arts and literature. My family and the Chongs touched several times in many different ways over the years. Hugs to Jena’s family and let us continue to model our behaviour to copy Mrs Chong in her memory.
Sending a donation in Mrs Chong’s memory to the Gloria Lyn Memorial Fund set up to raise the profile of literature at The University of The West Indies.
Thank you for your tribute to Mama and your condolences. Thank you also for your donation to the Gloria Lyn Memorial Fund in her honour, she did love literature.
I used to correspond with Aunt Jena when I was young. She was wise and caring, and I was very grateful for her guidance and advice. I also admire her for her tenacity and strength in dealing with her health problems. May she rest in peace!
Thank you for your remembrances. Mama was always pleased that you corresponded with her. She loved keeping in touch with Papa’s family.
Thank you for your kind words, Emily. I remember Mama corresponding with you many years ago, while we were in Jamaica. I remember how well you wrote so Mama was tasked to correspond with you. She looked forward to hearing from you over all these years and was happy that you kept in touch.
I believe her family’s love gave her strength.
Thank you, Bev on behalf of the Chong Family
A light has gone out with Jena Chong’s passing.
A source of great inspiration, Mrs. Chong was always cheerful and pleasant, eager to learn and share.
She was one of the Best students in our Mandarin classes, and an enthusiastic singer at Karaoke.
During her lengthy illness and suffering, she always tried to be pleasant and smiled.
She is now at rest. May God grant her eternal peace.
Our sincere condolences to the Family.
My sincere condolences to the Chong family. May she rest in peace.🌹
Thank you for your condolences. She seemed at peace when she left us.
Thank you for your remembrances and condolences. We will treasure these memories.
Dear Loraine and Patrick…Thank you for your condolences. Mama was very happy to participate in the Mandarin classes, Karaoke and social events at Tsung Tsin. She missed sharing the time with all her friends there too.
Thanks for your kind words
We are sad that Mamma Chong has left us, but happy that she has gone on to a better life. Knowing all the things she went through and all that she accomplished during her time with us….we have to say: “The lady good, yu know!” There were so many different aspects to her, including her love of baseball & hockey with the fight episodes!
She had a quiet confidence which allowed her to be humble, and that impish, dry sense of humor! Love & Prayers for her and to you, her family.
Thank you for your remembrances and kind words. We will cherish these memories.
Dear Ina and Eddie
Thank you also for your condolences and remembering of Mama. She was those things you mentioned.
thanks for your support.
My condolences to the Chong family.
Mrs. Chong was a lovely woman. Whenever I visited her with my uncles she often had so many interesting things to share. I admired her thirst for knowledge. She was also a very caring person. Whenever I met her or spoke to her on the phone she would always say “How is Mr. Wilbert doing? I always think of him. Tell him hello for me.”
Rest in peace Mrs. Chong. You will always be remembered.
Thank you for your kind words and condolences. Mama talked about how well “Mr Wilbert” treated her taking her into China to visit Papa’s family and hosting her in Hong Kong in 1994.
Mrs. Jena Chong was a very kind and gentle soul who enjoyed our sing-alongs immensely but her eyes truly lit up when talking about her family, especially the many accomplishments of her talented children and grandchildren. For Mrs. Chong, her family was her pride and joy. Rest in Peace, Mrs. Chong … you were well loved and live on in our hearts.
Thank you for you tribute to Mama. We will cherish these memories.
Dear Shirley and Lipton…I know she enjoyed the times with you all at Tsung Tsin. Thank you for your support and love
Dear Adrienne and Gillie, our condolences on the loss of your mother. I will always remember her no bake cheesecake, it was the best tasting and is now a family favourite. You and your siblings cared for her and in that way she was very comfortable. May happy memories see you through this sad time.
Love Dan Ardis Asha and Dexter.
Dear Dan, Ardis, Asha, and Dexter,
Thank you for your beautiful memories of my mother. We know that she is resting now, and looking upon us from above as we continue the challenges of life. We are very lucky to have friends like you to help us through this time, and we hope that everyone on your end is doing well and in good health.
Love to you all,
Adrienne, Gillie, and Family.
“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.”
– By Helen Keller
Mrs Chong will always be there in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Everyone whose life she has touched is a reflection of her spirit. She is the warmth and love that surrounds your family, and in the people that you are.
Our love and condolences to your families, you are in our prayers.
I never met Ms. Chong but I went to Immaculate Conception High School. It is interesting to hear that she was a bursar there.
Beverly was my classmate at Immaculate. Both Beverly and her
husband Franklin are such wonderful people. The warmth, love and devotion that Beverly displays, I am convinced that she inherited these
traits from her mom. I am offering my condolences to the family.
I lost my own mom in early January. I feel the void that you are experiencing. Take faith in the knowledge that she is resting in peace after a long productive life.
Dear Florence…Thank you for condolences and your extremely nice words and remembrance of Franklin and myself. It’s been a pleasure reconnecting with you. I am very sorry to hear you loss your mom in January. We share in the feelings of missing our Moms, but comforted in the thought they are resting in peace.
Keep well and take care