Post by NZBC on Jun 4, 2013 21:26:12 GMT 12
Obituary........
Winnie Young (nee Kwok)
白石村
ĂŬ^ŚĞŬsŝůůĂŐĞ
10 October 1924 6 November 2012
Winnie was born on 10th October 1924 and was 88 when she died peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday 6th November at Village at the Park, Wellington.
Her parents William Kwok Kee Yee and Chung Fung Kwai emigrated from their ancestral village Bak Shek, China to New Zealand in the late 19th and early 20th Century. Arriving in Otago, they eventually set up a fruiterer and shipping providore business in Cuba St Wellington next to the National Bank (now Logan Brown Restaurant), another shop in Abel Smith Street, and finally at 30 - 32 WebbStreet where there was sufficient space for the expanding business and accommodation for their family of 10 children. Hilda & Sadie were born in China, the
remaining 7 girls and Frank were born in Wellington. Like the 8 NZ born children, Winnie went to Mt.Cook Primary School. Her secondary education was at Wellington East Girls College where she was a very able student. After that she studied at Gilbey’s Business College where she excelled.
Winnie entered the work force as a secretary and her standards and diligence made her sought after by many em-
ployers. Her last job was as law clerk to Barrister & Solicitor Bill Gazley where she joined sister Sadie and Percy Leong who also worked there. Winnie married Peter Young on 18 May 1949 and their wedding was attended by some 500 members of the Chinese community and European friends.
Winnie, like all her sisters and brother enjoyed their teenage years establishing the Chinese Progress Club (CPC) ,the first in New Zealand to be established by Chinese youth themselves. The club was the forerunner of all the Chinese sports clubs in Wellington today. The CPC also initiated the first Inter City Chinese Tournaments which continue today as the annual Chinese Easter Tournament.
The CPC played a great part in their lives.
Winnie and Peter also held certificates in Western Floral Art. Their shop windows in Island Bay and later in Webb St.were always decorated with attractive floral arrangements.
Throughout their lives, Winnie and Peter were deeply involved with the Wellington Operatic Society and at one
stage recruited many of her nieces and nephews to perform in productions such as “The King and I” which was a
huge success. They were dedicated committee members and later were made Life Members of the Society.
Winnie was also a remarkable dressmaker including the production of many sets of wedding gowns for some of her
sisters weddings. Her sewing skills were patiently taught to her many nieces , an appreciation that was strongly
expressed by them at the celebration of her life.
Winnie & Peter lived in a hillside house in Eden Street, Island Bay where Winnie did the interior decorating, carefully selecting every detail, while Peter tended the attractive garden outside.
They remained there until 2006 when they moved to an apartment at Rita Angus Retirement Village where they lived
for many years before moving to Village at the Park where they were able to join Sadie.
According to Winnie’s wishes , a Private Service was held at the Harbour City Funeral Home in their thingyburn St.
Chapel in Kilbirnie on 12 November 2012 attended by all family members - Frank Kwok www.tungjung.org.nz/images/stories/newsletters/2013/Autumn_issue_2013.pdf
Winnie Young (nee Kwok)
白石村
ĂŬ^ŚĞŬsŝůůĂŐĞ
10 October 1924 6 November 2012
Winnie was born on 10th October 1924 and was 88 when she died peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday 6th November at Village at the Park, Wellington.
Her parents William Kwok Kee Yee and Chung Fung Kwai emigrated from their ancestral village Bak Shek, China to New Zealand in the late 19th and early 20th Century. Arriving in Otago, they eventually set up a fruiterer and shipping providore business in Cuba St Wellington next to the National Bank (now Logan Brown Restaurant), another shop in Abel Smith Street, and finally at 30 - 32 WebbStreet where there was sufficient space for the expanding business and accommodation for their family of 10 children. Hilda & Sadie were born in China, the
remaining 7 girls and Frank were born in Wellington. Like the 8 NZ born children, Winnie went to Mt.Cook Primary School. Her secondary education was at Wellington East Girls College where she was a very able student. After that she studied at Gilbey’s Business College where she excelled.
Winnie entered the work force as a secretary and her standards and diligence made her sought after by many em-
ployers. Her last job was as law clerk to Barrister & Solicitor Bill Gazley where she joined sister Sadie and Percy Leong who also worked there. Winnie married Peter Young on 18 May 1949 and their wedding was attended by some 500 members of the Chinese community and European friends.
Winnie, like all her sisters and brother enjoyed their teenage years establishing the Chinese Progress Club (CPC) ,the first in New Zealand to be established by Chinese youth themselves. The club was the forerunner of all the Chinese sports clubs in Wellington today. The CPC also initiated the first Inter City Chinese Tournaments which continue today as the annual Chinese Easter Tournament.
The CPC played a great part in their lives.
Winnie and Peter also held certificates in Western Floral Art. Their shop windows in Island Bay and later in Webb St.were always decorated with attractive floral arrangements.
Throughout their lives, Winnie and Peter were deeply involved with the Wellington Operatic Society and at one
stage recruited many of her nieces and nephews to perform in productions such as “The King and I” which was a
huge success. They were dedicated committee members and later were made Life Members of the Society.
Winnie was also a remarkable dressmaker including the production of many sets of wedding gowns for some of her
sisters weddings. Her sewing skills were patiently taught to her many nieces , an appreciation that was strongly
expressed by them at the celebration of her life.
Winnie & Peter lived in a hillside house in Eden Street, Island Bay where Winnie did the interior decorating, carefully selecting every detail, while Peter tended the attractive garden outside.
They remained there until 2006 when they moved to an apartment at Rita Angus Retirement Village where they lived
for many years before moving to Village at the Park where they were able to join Sadie.
According to Winnie’s wishes , a Private Service was held at the Harbour City Funeral Home in their thingyburn St.
Chapel in Kilbirnie on 12 November 2012 attended by all family members - Frank Kwok www.tungjung.org.nz/images/stories/newsletters/2013/Autumn_issue_2013.pdf