Waynette Wong-Chu, 47, fought cancer
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Waynette Wong-Chu, an HMSA manager who inspired many by living life to its fullest despite suffering from breast cancer for nine years, died March 7. She was 47.
Advertiser library photo
In January 2002, Wong-Chu was selected to carry the Olympic torch during its 46-state journey to the Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Wong-Chu, who was nominated for the honor by her HMSA co-workers, called her leg of the run in Monterey, Calif., one of the proudest moments of her life.
Waynette Wong-Chu had been fighting breast cancer since she was diagnosed in 1994.
Norine Yuen said her sister was being treated for cancer at the time, but she never let that stop her from enjoying the moment.
"She was a very brave person. She never let the cancer control her life," Yuen said. "She pretty much carried on her life like normal. Anybody who looked at her never thought she had cancer."
But Wong-Chu had been fighting the disease since she was diagnosed in 1994. She went through surgery and chemotherapy, but the cancer returned three years later.
After more surgery and chemotherapy, she was diagnosed with cancer again in 2000.
But Wong-Chu continued to work as senior manager for hospital and provider reimbursement at HMSA. She also worked with the state Medicaid program and at the Queen's Medical Center.
Wong-Chu kept busy as a member of the United Church of Christ and HMSA's Credit Union board. She volunteered at the American Cancer Society, and ran in the Relay for Life fund-raising event.
Wong-Chu worked at HMSA for 23 years, and her co-workers described her as fighter and survivor whose courage was inspiring.
"Her co-workers really helped her a lot through her whole cancer battle," Yuen said. "They were always there. They took turns taking her to chemo treatments, and they always were her moral support. I think the reason she never quit working was because she had such great support from work."
Wong-Chu is survived by her husband, Wendall; son, Wayden; daughter, Wendianne; mother, Nora Hee Wong; brother, Norwin Wong; sisters, Norine Yuen and Noella Inn.
Visitation from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the United Church of Christ; service at 10 a.m. Burial at 1 p.m. at Diamond Head Memorial Park.
