This website honors “Betty” Siu Fong Siu, 92, of Oakland, CA who passed on July 29, 2020.
Betty, the most devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, is survived by sons, Arthur (Donna) and Howard; daughters, Loretta and Edna (Jim); grandchildren, Michael, Gail (Brian), Tony, Nathan (Angela), Courtney (Daniel), Gregory (Charity) and Jordan; and great-grandchildren James, Aeryn and Ronan.She is also survived by family members of her paper sons, Phillip and Wayne.
Born in Kagok, Canton, China, the eldest of three (3) children, she came to the US as the young bride of “Buddy” Quon Pot Siu. Like many immigrants, it was her goal to come to Gum Shan (the Gold Mountain) to live a life of opportunity away from poverty, conflict (Sino-Japanese War, Chinese Civil War), and the limitations of her rural village life. In 1947, she arrived by boat in San Francisco with Buddy, the clothes on her back and four (4) Chinese coins from her mother. At the immigration station, not knowing the exact date of her birth, she chose July 4th as her birthday in recognition of the life that she would live in her new adopted country.
At the age of 18, Betty arrived in the US, newly married to a man that she barely knew; pregnant with her first child; with barely any education; unable to read or speak English; with no family or friends; no creature comforts; no place to live, and no security. Most would agree that Betty faced many insurmountable obstacles, but she came with the determination to live her dream and the will to build the best life possible for her and her growing family.
Over the next 56 years, together Betty and Buddy lived the American dream. They were entrepreneurs and owned a grocery store; purchased a house and rental properties; raised a family; and helped their kids through college so that they could go on to build their own families. After they sold the store, Betty went on to work for other store owners and retired from her position verifying checks for the Bank of America with company stock in her portfolio. Through Betty’s natural tendency to talk story, throw parties and cook (who can forget her sesame balls, fried chicken, chow mein, Scandinavian rosettes), she created a strong sense of community and built a wide extended family by forging meaningful relationships with countless others.
In 1993, Buddy passed. Betty then lived alone for 27 years in her own home as the matriarch of the family that she and Buddy created. Those who met Betty would agree; she was a very strong, independent woman who lived her dream even up until her passing. Betty was known for her tenacity, her strength and her conviction. Although she was considered uneducated by many standards, she was dedicated to continuous learning and studied the daily newspaper.She proudly tells the story of how she arrived in the US with very little in her pockets, but was leaving a rich woman because she realized her dreams. As she would often say, “I have everything. I can eat anything, and do anything. I have my family who shows me how they can work together. What more could I want?”
Betty had the natural talent and personality to make friends no matter the situation. She was truly an amazing woman whose drive to achieve her goals will forever be appreciated by her family who loves her dearly and the others whose lives she touched. She will be missed. Together, in her memory, we celebrate the legacy that she gives us through the courageous, purposeful and inspirational life that she led.
In recognition of the pandemic, services will only be held for the immediate family. In lieu of flowers and contributions, the family asks that you carry on Betty’s spirit by making a contribution to your favorite charity, having a favorite meal with others in your immediate family or social bubble, and finding ways to live your best life.
Thank you for your tributes, photos, stories, and condolences!