Annie Wong

Annie Wong, 98, passed away on May 31, 2024, with family by her side.

Born in Lewiston, Idaho on April 6, 1926, to Ning and Lim Shee Huie, Annie was the 4th of 7 children. The family lived in Lapwai, Idaho until 1934 when her parents moved to the Huie Village in China to immerse their children in Chinese culture and traditions. It was a 21-day journey on the steamship “Hoover”. Due to the war and increasing frequency of bombings, the family moved back to the U.S. in 1937 and started a farm in Walla Walla, Washington. She graduated from Walla Walla High where she played on the volleyball and basketball teams.

Annie moved to Baker, Oregon following her marriage to Henry Wong on March 21, 1950. She worked as a long-distance telephone operator for Pacific Northwest Bell and retired in 1976 after 25 years’ service. They moved to Pasco, Wa in 1960 and upon returning to Baker in 1962, a partnership was formed in the Royal Café with Henry’s father, Jack. They added the Shangrila Lounge in 1964 and the Red Room with a dance floor and live entertainment in 1968. She worked a second job at the Royal Café simultaneously with the phone company. Henry acquired Jack’s interest prior to Jack’s passing in 1972, and they opened a second restaurant in Ontario in 1976.

Annie was very civic minded. She was an executive board member of the Oregon Telephone Pioneers, a volunteer association that fosters community and friendship service projects. She served as president of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, an organization created to focus on the issues of working women.

Annie has a large display of Chinese artifacts in the Baker Heritage Museum that have been on loan since March 1995.

She loved traveling, crocheting, quilting, collecting coins and stamps, and had a massive collection of Beanie Babies. She loved working in the garden and always trimmed her own bushes and trees. She said that working with plants and soil brings one tranquility and serenity. She played mahjong weekly and loved playing the slots at the casino.

Annie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Henry; brothers, Sheow and Jimmy; sisters, Marie Eng, Fannie Seid, Nina Eng, and Clara Lee.

She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews. We will miss her infectious smile and humor.

A memorial service will be held on July 11, 2024 at French Mortuary 7121 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque NM 87109. Viewing starts at 10:30 am with memorial service at 11 am.

A memorial service will also be held on August 3, 2024 at Gray’s West & Co Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave, Baker City, Or, with interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or the Baker Heritage Museum, 2480 Grove Street, Baker City, Or 97814