Kathryn Mae Fong Eng, 74, passed away on 4/6/22 at home surrounded by her children.

Kathryn was predeceased by Lewis Eng, Gertrude Fong, William Fong and Eva Eng. She is survived by Kristen Eng Popper, Adam Eng, Erin Eng, Christopher Eng, Alexander Eng and her eight grandchildren.

Kathryn was born on January 14, 1948, the third daughter of William and Gertrude Fong. The Fong family came from humble beginnings, but never lacked any necessities. Her early years were spent in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown in a small apartment with her five siblings. The growing family moved to Russian Hill in 1953, where seven girls slept in two bedrooms. Bill kept trying for a son, until Patricia was born and Gert developed a mysterious headache.

Her nickname “Yomi” was given to her by her Uncle Al, who thought she looked like a famous Japanese actress. Her nickname remained with her family throughout her life. Growing up in such a large family, the sisters were each other’s playmates. Their favorite games included, “office” and “whack-a-roach”. She encouraged her younger siblings to always strive for more with kind words, and being a positive role model.

From an early age, it was clear that she was very focused on academics and was always near the top of her class. Her hobbies were sewing, cutting hair, and joining school sports. She earned various athletic, as well as academic awards. She attended Spring Valley Elementary School, Sherman Elementary School, Marina Junior High, Galileo High School, San Francisco State University and UC Berkeley. She earned her teaching credential and taught health to elementary school students in SFUSD.

In 1969, Kathryn met Lewis “as in Lewis & Clark” Eng at a party in San Francisco. Kathryn was outfitted in a black turtleneck, black mini skirt, black tights and boots. “She looked like a beatnik poet, so I had to meet her,” said Lewis. “Black is slimming,” said Kathryn. The old adage opposites attract certainly applied to Kathy and Lewis.

She was independent and ambitious, and was the only one in her family to live on her own. Her sister Susie drove her around the Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco excitedly looking for her first apartment. Lewis promptly got her evicted with his long hair, guitar playing, and VW bus driving.

In 1972, Lewis and Kathy lived in a little apartment above a Chinese restaurant on Fillmore Street and the day they were married, walked across the street to the Calvary Presbyterian Church. Her sisters Lulu and Jocie accompanied her down the aisle in pink velveteen dresses hand-sewn by the bride.

A few years later, Kristen came along and the new family moved across the Bay to Hayward. Kathy continued her education at UC Berkeley where she earned a Masters Degree in Public Health. Lewis and Kristen would pick her up after classes, and along with her parents, cheered for her at her graduation.

Both having grown up in large, loving families, Kathy and Lewis agreed that they also wanted a large family. Adam and Erin were born in the late 70s and Christopher and Alexander in the early 80s. For a time, Kathy and Lewis worked out part-time work schedules and with the help of wonderful grandmothers, provided a loving childhood to their five kids.

Kathy and Lewis were always role models to their children. They taught us how to find work about which we could be passionate, that we all have a purpose beyond ourselves to improve our world and help others. They taught us by example that family comes first. As a mother, Kathy gave her children unconditional love. She always loved and supported us through all of our choices and gave advice, but let us make mistakes in the hope that we would learn from them.

Kathy and Lewis were both dedicated to their work and positively affected many lives within the San Francisco Public Health Department. Together they developed health care programs such as SRx, which helped senior citizens learn how to manage their meds and care. Kathy was dedicated to her 38-year career in the SFDPH and served as a health administrator at SF General Hospital -Family Health Center, Ocean Park Health Center 5 in the Sunset district, and Health at Home.

Before marrying Lewis, Kathy was more of a “city girl”. After, she learned to enjoy camping, hiking, and biking, but drew the line at canoeing. With five children, budget vacations were a must. Our family visited many California & west coast campgrounds, first in the VW bus and later in the Vanagon. Kathy enjoyed traveling with Lewis and her sisters and was able to experience China, Japan, Italy, and France.

Her retirement was spent enjoying time with her children, grandchildren and sisters. She loved family dinners, picnics, nature walks, sewing and craft projects, westerns, action movies, crime tv, The San Francisco Warriors and The Golden State Warriors, Eng family tennis tournament, gin rummy, slot machines, gummy candy, and gardening. "Paw Paw"/"Yin Yin" proudly mopped the floor with her grandchildren in Old Maid, Connect 4, and Around the World. She is deeply loved and missed by her family for her sense of humor and frequent laughter, her competitive nature and ambition, and even her compulsive rule-following. Most of all, we will miss her love, support, and caring spirit.

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