1942
Maria
2021
Maria C. (Lee) Chong
April 8, 1942 — September 9, 2021
Weston – Mrs. Maria C. (Lee) Chong died at home with her family by her side on Thursday, September 9th after a four-year hard-fought battle with liver cancer.
Maria was born in Seoul, Korea, on April 8, 1942, daughter of a prominent surgeon and Dean at Yonse University School of Medicine. She married Frank, physician and son of Dean at Pusan University School of Medicine, set up by their fathers. They married in 1967 and lived in Seoul, their daughter Cathy was born and Frank practiced medicine.
They immigrated to Boston in 1972 and lived in Mattapan, where their second daughter, Vivian was born, then Brookline, and then moved to Weston in 1975. They never left, living in the same house and wonderful neighborhood for 46 years.
Maria was, no exaggeration, one of the greatest cooks, especially of Korean food, ever, as can be attested by her family and her many friends. Her dinner parties were famous. Her children's friends still talk of epic meals she prepared for them 30 years ago when brought home from college for Thanksgiving. She was a legend.
Maria loved spending time in their Hyannis summer home, where she adored the summer flowers and ocean breezes. She enjoyed the best restaurants (but only if the chefs were really good; many did not measure up). She loved music, classical and opera especially. Many a trip to visit Vivian in NYC included a performance at the Met and a great meal. Boston symphony and choir performances were a favorite. She enjoyed attending Musicals and Dance performances with granddaughter Sofia. She herself was an exceptional soprano. And, she was also a fan of Engelbert Humperdinck, so she truly loved almost every type of music.
She loved traveling, especially enjoying trips to Italy, the food and art. She had an uncanny sense of fashion and design, always looking stylish. Above all, she adored her grandchildren, and lavished them with love and care, essentially raising granddaughter Sofia until she started Kindergarten, and catering to grandson Sam's every wish.
She was deeply loved and will be very much missed.
In addition to her husband of 53 years, Dr. Frank Chong, she leaves her daughters, Cathy D. Chong (Carlo Rosen) of Westwood and Vivian Y. Chong of New York, New York; her grandchildren, Sofia and Sam Rosen and her sister, Choong Hee Lee of Maryland.
Maria was also a sister of the late Yong Kwang Lee.
Family and friends will honor and remember Maria's life by gathering on Wednesday, September 15th in Saint Julia's Church, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston, where her funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Weston. There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in her name made to Saint Julia's Parish, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston, MA 02493
Maria was born in Seoul, Korea, on April 8, 1942, daughter of a prominent surgeon and Dean at Yonse University School of Medicine. She married Frank, physician and son of Dean at Pusan University School of Medicine, set up by their fathers. They married in 1967 and lived in Seoul, their daughter Cathy was born and Frank practiced medicine.
They immigrated to Boston in 1972 and lived in Mattapan, where their second daughter, Vivian was born, then Brookline, and then moved to Weston in 1975. They never left, living in the same house and wonderful neighborhood for 46 years.
Maria was, no exaggeration, one of the greatest cooks, especially of Korean food, ever, as can be attested by her family and her many friends. Her dinner parties were famous. Her children's friends still talk of epic meals she prepared for them 30 years ago when brought home from college for Thanksgiving. She was a legend.
Maria loved spending time in their Hyannis summer home, where she adored the summer flowers and ocean breezes. She enjoyed the best restaurants (but only if the chefs were really good; many did not measure up). She loved music, classical and opera especially. Many a trip to visit Vivian in NYC included a performance at the Met and a great meal. Boston symphony and choir performances were a favorite. She enjoyed attending Musicals and Dance performances with granddaughter Sofia. She herself was an exceptional soprano. And, she was also a fan of Engelbert Humperdinck, so she truly loved almost every type of music.
She loved traveling, especially enjoying trips to Italy, the food and art. She had an uncanny sense of fashion and design, always looking stylish. Above all, she adored her grandchildren, and lavished them with love and care, essentially raising granddaughter Sofia until she started Kindergarten, and catering to grandson Sam's every wish.
She was deeply loved and will be very much missed.
In addition to her husband of 53 years, Dr. Frank Chong, she leaves her daughters, Cathy D. Chong (Carlo Rosen) of Westwood and Vivian Y. Chong of New York, New York; her grandchildren, Sofia and Sam Rosen and her sister, Choong Hee Lee of Maryland.
Maria was also a sister of the late Yong Kwang Lee.
Family and friends will honor and remember Maria's life by gathering on Wednesday, September 15th in Saint Julia's Church, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston, where her funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Weston. There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in her name made to Saint Julia's Parish, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston, MA 02493
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Maria C. (Lee) Chong, please visit our flower store.
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