Chong A. Song
The Lord Jehovah’s angels peacefully lifted Chong A. Song to heaven on March 21, 2020.
She was known as Song, Songie or Songie-Doll to her many loved ones, friends and work colleagues. The country was in the first stages of its lock-down from COVID19, when her heart gave way to her lengthy and valiantly fought battle with metastatic cancer through which she maintained her dignity to the end.
She was born in Pusan, South Korea, April 28, 1950 to LiHwan Song and Kim Song and grew up with three brothers. Eventually, she married Won Ho Yun and had a son, Won Dong Uk. Being very poor, she decided to emigrate to the United States in 1985, to follow a desire to work in Health Care. Her husband and son chose not to follow her.
One of Song’s most proud moments was when she became a citizen of her beloved, adopted country, the United States of America in October of 1994.
She became one of our community’s most beloved and respected care workers working without ever calling in sick, for twenty-five years at Valle Verde and twelve years at Samarkand. Her career as a CNA and Med Tech, working with the elderly and terminally ill, with a kind and loving heart and caring compassion was often held up as an example to others.
Among her many awards were: The Circle of Excellence Award in Recognition of Outstanding Performance from Valle Verde for 2001, the Certificate of Appreciation for 20 years of service to the Valle Verde Retirement Neighborhood on December 16, 2005, and the Certificates of Appreciation for her 5 years and 10 years of service at Samarkand.
Every person she met became her best friend. “A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.” The Wizard of Oz
She leaves a large family in South Korea and a half-sister, Eun Ju Song in New York.
A Year is a Day. A Day is Forever. In my quiet and solitude, she often comes to my mind. Song had a strong faith, was truly dignified, and kind-hearted while also being reserved. She had a joyous and gracious nature. She was a complex soul and I; Edwin Perales, was fortunate enough to be her friend, her roommate and her Life Partner for twenty-four years. It was my honor to know her.
I want to acknowledge a few of many of her beloved friends: Mr. David Back, Mr. Roy Handleman, Mr. Lad Handleman, Mr. NuNo A. deSena, Mr. Frank Hernandes, Ms. Rhoda Magllasang, Mr. Clore Magllasang, Rev. Jaiko Lee, Roxanne Zamarron, her long-time beloved neighbor Jeanie Schneider, and posthumously, Mr. Michael Stackpole.
Song’s belief in her journey with the Jehovah’s Witnesses was shared by the loving and comforting visits from Paul and Martha Ledesma, and Karlene Hays. Song said, “Jehovah’s Witness is the true path to God.”
I wish to thank many caring people starting with the compassionate doctors and staff at The Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for their care of her during her long fight with cancer and the merciful, warm-hearted doctors and staff at Channel Islands Post-Acute/Alto Lucero Transitional Care where she stayed until her death under the excellent care of VNAHealth hospice, and finally, the Neptune Society.
Because of COVID 19, distribution of her cremated remains in Pusan, South Korea is still being planned as is her memorial for her loved ones and friends in Santa Barbara, CA.