To look at Waynette Sau Han Wong-Chu, you would not have known she was sick; her upbeat attitude had everyone fooled. [ WAYNETTE S.H. WONG-CHU / 1955-2003 ]
HMSA worker’s positive
See also:
attitude was inspiring
Civic leader helped isle Filipinos
More obituariesBy Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.com
Although they knew she had breast cancer, Wong-Chu's death came as a shock to friends and family.
COURTESY PHOTO
In January 2002, Waynette Wong-Chu had the opportunity to carry the Olympic torch for the 2002 Winter Games.
"She tried to keep everything positive," said her husband, Wendall C.K. Chu. "She was a fighter, and she always had the feeling that she was going to get well and come back."
The 47-year-old died March 7, nine years after being diagnosed with cancer.
Born in 1955, Wong-Chu was senior manager for provider reimbursement at Hawaii Medical Service Association, where she worked for 23 years.
Co-workers nominated Wong-Chu as the most inspirational person in a contest sponsored by Coca-Cola to carry the Olympic torch for the 2002 Winter Games.
In January 2002, Wong-Chu carried the Olympic torch on the Monterey, Calif., leg to Salt Lake City.
"That was the highlight of her life," her husband said.
Close friend and co-worker Mike Yen said Wong-Chu excelled as a person and as a professional, and her positive attitude made everyone better professionally and as people.
"That's why she touched a lot of people," he said. "She was genuine in everything she did."
"She's known here as the strongest person anybody knows," Yen said. "Even when it came down to the last few days, every time she would have a visitor, she would ask how they were rather than the other way around."
Wong-Chu also leaves behind son Wayden C.W. Chu, 9; daughter Wendianne Y.L. Chu, 16; mother Nora Hee Wong; brother Norwin H.G. Wong; and sisters Norine S.Q. Yuen and Noella S.J. Inn.
Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. next Saturday at the United Church of Christ. Call after 8 a.m. Burial is at 1 p.m. at Diamond Head Memorial Park.
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Filipino civic leader Nunelon L. Medallon died March 7 at Kaiser Medical Center. He was 75. [ NUNELON L. MEDALLON / 1927-2003 ]
Active civic leader helped
isle Filipinos to
better themselvesBy Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.comHe retired as chief interpreter for the Honolulu District Court. Medallon was proficient in Ilocano, Tagalog, Visayan and English and worked with the courts for 33 years.
He also served as an advocate for Filipinos who needed help understanding the judicial system. His work benefited many elderly Filipino plantation laborers, family members said.
Medallon was active in community service from the early 1960s through the 1980s. As president of Civic Associates, which primarily raised scholarship funds for scholars of Filipino ancestry, he led a large group of Filipinos from Hawaii on a goodwill tour to the Philippines.
He also headed the Oahu Filipino Community Council as president and served as secretary of the United Filipino Council of Hawaii.
He volunteered his services as interpreter to governmental agencies, including the Honolulu Police Department.
Born Oct. 24, 1927, in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, the Philippines, he emigrated to Hawaii in 1946 and joined the U.S. Army, serving as heavy weapons specialist with Company A, First Combat Group, 27th Infantry during the Korean War, and received the National Defense Service Medal.
He is survived by wife Mila; sons Rod, Junior, Freddie and Leo Torda; daughters Lorraine and Wilhelmina; brothers Leodegario and Leolito; and sisters Pastora and Naty.
Wake services are 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Mayor Jeremy Harris and Filipino community leader Joe Lazo are expected to give eulogies. Mass will be said at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Stephen's Church, 2747 Pali Highway. Burial follows at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be at 12:30 p.m. at the Treetop Restaurant in Paradise Park.
