M. Lonnie Wu
Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, healer, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones July 13, 2018.
Born Mary Lonnie Wu March 26, 1942 in New York City, to Chinese immigrants William T. Wu and Jesse Chan. Lonnie grew up in Chinatown, NYC. At age 12, she had the fortunate opportunity to live with her extended Mennonite family where she experienced the joys of farm life and graduated from Lancaster Mennonite High School in Mt Joy, PA. Thereafter she attended nursing school in Mt. Vernon, New York where she received her RN degree. She began her nursing career at Deepdale Hospital in Queens, NY where she was quickly promoted to head nurse. Then moved to Long Beach Memorial, on Long Island. It was during this period she started her family.
In 1978 Lonnie moved to Santa Barbara, California with her three children to pursue a new life. She continued to work as an ICU nurse full time at Goleta Valley Hospital but increasingly became interested in alternative medicine so she attended and graduated from the first graduating class of The California Acupuncture College in 1981 and shortly thereafter received her DOM, Doctorate in Oriental Medicine – all the while raising three kids! She was one of the first Acupuncturists to work intergratively with medical professionals in Santa Barbara, namely Dr. Arthur Kaslow. Lonnie also had Hospital privileges at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital successfully blending her knowledge of Eastern and Western Medicine.
Lonnie opened her acupuncture clinic in 1985 and proudly worked along side her son Anthony until he opened his own practice. Lonnie was voted Best Acupuncturist in Santa Barbara countless times with her son always runner up. She was a gifted healer and her intuition was always her guide. She touched countless families and people in her fifty years in the healing profession with her compassion and knowledge. She loved treating children – this was her passion and specialty. Her gift also helped couples become families. She practiced until 2016.
Lonnie was also the ultimate adventurer. Whether it was to simply catch the last rays of the day, family tripping through China, meeting her kids at the crack of dawn as they hiked up to the Sun Gate at Macchu Picchu, visit her ultimate teacher’s home in Lhasa, Tibet, volunteering for AeroMedical to treat people in remote part of Mexico, trail maintenance in Patagonia or volunteering at the bookstore at the Vedanta Temple.
When she wasn’t on the move you would have found her practicing Tibetan Buddhism, giggling with her extended family of friends, tending to her garden, eating yummy food and occasionally, getting into a bit of mischief!
Lonnie was preceded in death by her parents and brother Robert Tsang and sister Thelma Wolgemuth. She is survived by her children: Adrienne Kar, Anthony Kar (Evelyn) and Deirdre Kar Hasson (Stuart), granddaughter Calais Storey (Luke), and the love of her life, greatgrandson, Finley Ian Storey. Also, brothers Barney Yee, Donald Yee (Karen) and John Wolgemuth (Aunt Thelma), sister Daryl Giampieri (Paul) and Lois Wolgemuth, nephews Theon Giampieri (Jean), Elliot Leong (Lorraine) and Noel Yee, nieces Vanessa Lew (David) and Becky Yee, grand nephews Tyler Yee, DJ Lew, Titus Giampieri, and Rhys Leong, grand nieces Katie Lew, Sarah and Katie Bond, and goddaughter Lia Welkom.
A Special mention to her country family from Mount Joy, Pa. The Wolgemuth’s. (you guys are too many to name!) It was with their love that she found peace and a loving environment to grow. You all are in our hearts and minds forever.
Lonnie’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 25th 3 p.m., at the Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple. Donations can be made on behalf of Lonnie to these amazing organization who assisted Lonnie through her final journey: Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care, Santa Barbara, Hospice of Santa Barbara, Food from the Heart, and The Dream Foundation. Please RSVP to chynagal@hotmail.com