Jin Hyo Hong

Jin Hyo Hong, cherished mother, grandmother, and a devoted Catholic passed away peacefully at her home in El Dorado Hills, CA on April 30th at the age of 89.

Born on February 9, 1937, in Korea, Jin Hyo was the middle daughter of Seung Min Lim and Kyung Moon Lee. She was known for her intelligence, beauty, and charm. She attended Seoul National University’s College of Education and majored in education. After graduation, she worked at her father’s law firm in Seoul. Later, after moving to the United States, she worked at Bank of America as a payroll specialist, where she was recognized and received awards for her excellence and dedication.

She enjoyed swimming, tennis, Pilates, and music. She continued her athleticism throughout her life and stretched daily. In her later years, she enjoyed walking with her daughters and chair yoga at the Sr. Center with her daughter, Young-Hee.

She met her love, Byung Heum Hong in Seoul, South Korea in 1962 and was a devoted, faithful wife for almost 60 years before his passing in 2022. She joined her husband in San Francisco in 1969 and together they raised 4 daughters: Min-Hee (Samuel), Young-Hee (Michael), Bong-Hee (Thomas), and Susan (Mark) before moving back to South Korea to help take care of her elderly in-laws in 1993. She was a loving, funny grandmother to 8 grandchildren: Andrew (Ashley), Jesse (Lily), Ryan, Alison (Ricco), Mason, Benjamin, Nathaniel and Elliott. She was equally blessed by the laughter and love of her honorary daughter, Tedi, who brought immense light into her life.

As the eldest daughter-in-law, she honored her family by caring for all her in-laws with devotion and remained a steadfast, matriarchal presence within the Hong Family. Her home was the heart of the family where many memories were created, and the sacrifices she made for her family will never be forgotten.

A devout Catholic, she would sit for hours each day at her kitchen table copying the entire Old Testament by hand, despite her arthritis. She was extremely proud of this accomplishment, as were her family and priest, Father Kennedy. In addition to her faith, she found great pleasure in traveling, gardening, indulging in chocolate, sharing cherished family stories, reading, and watching Korean dramas. She was a lifelong learner who was never embarrassed to admit when she didn’t know something. She spent hours watching YouTube videos on health and nutrition and loved sharing her newfound knowledge with all her loved ones, but nothing brought her more joy than seeing and receiving calls from her grandchildren, friends, and family.

During her last month, she was visited by many of her loved ones including her younger sister and brother-in-law from Canada, her brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren. She left her family with loving memories filled with gentle smiles, laughter, singing, and warm hugs. We will forever be grateful for the legacy she leaves with us and will honor her memories with love and respect.