Lisa (Henry) Wong


Lisa died on Sunday, February 21st after, in her own words, a “strange
journey through the desert of cancer.” Lisa approached her dying as she
did her living-- with gratitude, love, and a deep reverence for the
mystery. She was 61.


Born in March of 1948 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Donald Henry and
Charlotte Warstler, Lisa was nicknamed “Corky” by her father because
“she was such a little corker.” Lisa always confronted life head-on, her
blonde curls cut short for easier adventuring. She began her exploits
early, falling into a tar barrel at the age of 2 while shimmying up the
side of a house. A few years later she slid down a coal chute at the
local library, where she struck up a friendship with the library
custodian and received many books otherwise destined for the library
furnace.


After graduating from La Porte High School in 1966, Lisa traveled the
country via Greyhound Lines' “99 Days for 99 Dollars” special. One of
her stops was in Seattle. In March of 1967 she moved to Seattle and
began her studies at the University of Washington. Shortly thereafter
she met Victor Wong at a UW ballroom dancing class. Lisa married Victor
in 1968 in Reno, Nevada.


Again in her own words, Lisa then “dedicated her life to raising kids
and making a home until her return to school.” She excelled at this
work, then returned to the University of Washington in 1988 and
graduated in 1991 with a BA in Philosophy. She received her MA in 1994
and was a PhD candidate. Lisa taught philosophy, ethics, and logic
courses for several years at the University of Washington and Seattle
Central Community College. She had a special interest in Asian and
Medieval European philosophy.


Lisa was a long-time parishioner at Saint James Cathedral. At Saint
James she was an active member of the Just Faith study program from 2005
to 2007, putting her spiritual beliefs into practical action for social
justice.


Lisa loved spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren,
reading piles of books to the grandkids every week. She also loved cats,
dogs, and squid, not necessarily in that order.


Lisa is survived by her sister Kathryn Henry of Oak Park, Illinois;
husband Victor Wong; children Jennifer Thames, David Wong, Benjamin
Wong, Gregory Wong, and Alan Wong; son-in-law Michael Hall,
daughter-in-law Louise Wong; and grandchildren Nicholas, Robin, Myhanh,
Mai Linh, and Tai.


Funeral Mass Tuesday March 2, 9:30 a.m., at Saint James Cathedral in
Seattle. Rite of Committal following at Calvary cemetery.


Flowers may be sent to Howden-Kennedy Funeral Home. Donations are
welcome to either of two charities that Lisa loved: the Children's
Division of the Seattle Public Library or the Cathedral Kitchen at Saint
James.


On-line guestbook at http://lisa.wongs.net/