Long Way Home: Journeys of a Chinese Montanan
Born in Boston in 1928, Flora Wong moved to a tiny village in Southern China with her family in 1936 at age seven. During the Communist Revolution, Flora escaped China through an arranged marriage in 1947. She and her husband, Charlie Wong, owned and operated Wing Shing Grocery on Main Street in Helena, Montana. In 1968, Charlie died, leaving Flora with five children. She operated the store until 1970, then worked McDonald's department store in downtown Helena for two years. In 1973, she opened the Chinese Kitchen in partnership with George and Irene Wong.In retirement, Flora took up competitive running and swimming. Through the years, she has participated in four National Senior Games and one World Senior Game. Flora was named Montana Big Sky Athlete of the Year in 1999. In 2009, the Helena Sports Hall of Fame named Flora to its list of honored athletes. She has completed the Portland Marathon four times.Flora has four daughters, Bess, Gloria, Thel, Nancy, and one son, Poy. She is a very proud grandmother and great-grandmother.