Marian Chinn Wong Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Marian Yau Jen "Jenny" Chinn Wong, 90, of Honolulu, passed away peacefully in the morning of Thursday, February 27, 2020. She was the eldest daughter of the late Dr. Walter Seong Chinn and Ethel Ngun Oi Kam Chinn. She was a graduate of Roosevelt High School. During high school she worked as a staff member of the Hawaii Visitors Bureau. Being photogenic with a kindly smile she was featured in the newspaper and on the cover of a few productions, such as Hawaii Home. She also worked as a model for Paul Hesse, a well-known Hollywood photographer and Warner-Pathe, become Warner Brothers. As a talented and gracious performer and dancer, she was featured on the Lawrence Welk Show as well as in the Yuan dynasty classical play, The Circle of Chalk. In 1952, she was bestowed the title of Narcissus Princess. During these years she met the love of her life, St. Louis School graduate, Andrew Y. Y. Wong whom she married in 1953. Andy and Marian went on to build up what is known as the Andy Wong legacy of local restaurants and drive-ins of which Byron’s Drive In on Nimitz was the last to close. While Andy was developing staple recipes at home, Marian developed the sweets. Her baking prowess resulted in signature desserts for the restaurants such as: grasshopper pie; lemon crunch; lemon souffle; cherry cheesecake; and pecan pie. Andy gave her Wong’s Okazu-ya as an anniversary present, where she was the manager and greeted guests with utmost hospitality. Marian and Andy also enjoyed extensively traveling including around the world, taking cruises and going to Las Vegas. From each of their travels they brought a bit more of the world closer to the shores of Hawaii through the influence of diverse tastes and network of friendships and connections. Marian is survived by children, Lori; Dierdre; Lisa, aka: Sister Malia Dominica, O.P.; Byron (Anne); Dhana (Takashi); Orson (Stephanie); and three grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Y. Y. Wong; second husband, Dewey Kim; and sister, Laura Chinn Lum. Visitation: 8:30 a.m. March 18 at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Honolulu. Service at 9:30 a.m. Lunch reception at Diamond Head Memorial Park Chapel Lanai at 11:30 a.m., followed by graveside services at 12:30 p.m. at Diamond Head Memorial Park. Casual/aloha attire.

Marian Chinn Wong

May 9, 1929 - February 27, 2020