Silvia Sau Wan Lee Iong

Silvia S.W. Lee Iong, age 82 of San Jose, passed away on July 12, 2019 at Healthy Living Residential Care. Born on August 11, 1936 China, born to Mr. and Mrs. Ging Y. Lee, the youngest of four children, two older brothers and one older sister. She grew up in China and Macau. She married David Iong in 1964 and they had three children, Alison, Diana and Michael Iong.

A loving mother, Special Education teacher and journalist, Silvia was a remarkable professional woman ahead of her time. She was an active bilingual translator working in Macau, to be the language liaison between the Portuguese and Chinese community, from the 1960s to early 1970s. Later, she became the chief journalist, for over a decade in Macau, before immigrating to the US in 1982. Since her immigration, she had continued working as a journalist for a major Chinese newspaper in Chinatown, New York. Silvia then discovered her second love, educating children several years later. She went to college at night while working tirelessly as a reporter during the daytime. A few years later, she earned her BA degree in education from LaGuardia Community College, New York. In 1992, she earned her MA in Special Education from Queens College, City University of New York. Since then, she worked as an enthusiastic home economics teacher for children with special needs. In 1999, she retired early to take care of her husband, David, after he was diagnosed with colon cancer. She became his sole caretaker until he passed away in November 2000. She moved to San Jose, California in 2007 to live closer to her younger daughter Diana and her family.

She is survived by her three adult children and five grandchildren, and a number of other loving relatives and close friends. The family wishes to thank those who have extended emotional support for Silvia during her final days, Brookdale Hospice care and professional caregivers at Healthy Living Residential Care.

A private memorial service honoring her life will be held on 7/27/19. For those who have known Silvia in her New York days, a graveside service will be held at Pinelawn Cemetery in New York later this year.

In lieu of flowers, the family will donate all gift money to the Parkinson's Foundation. For those who would like to donate directly, please use the link below, and make a Tribute Gift in Memory of Silvia Iong.

https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/SPageNavigator/2017_donate_form_2.html