JENNIE PANG's Obituary
Jennie Nget Moy Young Pang, 106, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 3,1920, to Young Wai and Au Shee. She was the youngest of seven children. Jennie graduated from McKinley High School and was co-editor of The Pinon, their school newspaper. She continued her education, graduated from UH Manoa and earned a BA in Sociology in 1942. Imagine carrying a gas mask at your commencement!
Jennie was fluent in Cantonese and used her skills while working her way through college. In the card catalog section of Sinclair Library, she would painstakingly write each card in Chinese calligraphy. We wonder if her cards are in the archives somewhere. She also worked in the Post Office as a censor during the war.
Henry Young introduced his younger sister, Jennie, to his friend, David H.C. Pang. They fell in love and married on June 13, 1943. Two years later they started their family and had four daughters.
They are survived by daughters Verna (Donald predeceased) Chow, Susan Pang, Paula (Paul) Yamamoto, and Maydene Pang, grandson David (Jackie) Chow, granddaughter Erin Chow (partner Lauryn Mae Pang), great granddaughter Lavinia Chow and great grandson James Chow.
While growing up, Jennie attended Sunday School and was baptized at St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church. She was active in the young people’s fellowship and sang in the church choir. Her love for music and singing inspired all of her children.
After her youngest daughter went to school, Jennie returned to the UH to become a certified teacher, but the demands of motherhood made it diTicult to go back to school fulltime. Instead, she became a substitute teacher. Everyone loved her as a sub, so it became her new career.
Jennie was an excellent cook and baker! Some of her signature dishes were jai, fresh coconut cake, beef tongue, steamed fish with ginger, shoyu, and hot oil! She loved trying new recipes and making other ethnic recipes, like maki sushi and kimchi.
The first time Jennie flew in an airplane was not to the neighbor island, but all the way to Europe! Her eyes were opened to the marvelous sights of the world! She loved experiencing other cultures and seeing places she had learned about in history and geography classes. Her second plane ride was to Hawaii Island! Other places Jennie visited were Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Japan, the US, and the neighbor islands.
For the last six years, Jennie needed more care, so she became a resident of Kalakaua Gardens. Her family would like to thank Kerwin Higashi, Executive Director, and the staff at Kalakaua Gardens for providing our mom a safe and caring place, especially during the Covid pandemic, and for her fabulous 105th birthday celebration! With heartfelt gratitude, we also want to thank Glen and Mary Jeanne Onato and their staff for the loving care that they provided our mom during her last year.
Surrounded by her daughters, mom peacefully passed away to life eternal on May 16, 2026. Until we all meet again, a hui hou!
A private family service was held.
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