Virginia Gem Gee Leung <p> 梁謝金枝

Gem Gee “Virginia” Leung, 98, of Brookline, passed away peacefully on the evening of May 5, 2025 at South Cove Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Quincy. She was the devoted wife of the late John Leung who died in 1980.

Born and raised in Guangdong, China, Mrs. Leung was a picture bride; immigrating to the United States in 1951 only after being selected by her suitor and future husband, John. The two were married that same year.

In the U.S. Virginia learned to sew but before long began working for her family’s business, Jing Kee Bean Sprout Company, on Harrison Avenue in Boston’s Chinatown. There she worked hard and held accounting and bookkeeping roles in the bean sprout business. Her dedication and work ethics also shined where she was hands on in all aspects of the sprout growing process, from preparing the beans to watering and packaging process. In addition to her daily tasks, she cooked meals for her in-laws, as well as many others who worked for the company. 

Virginia was a loving but strict mother. Her children remember her talent in the kitchen, making egg foo young and traditional Chinese pastries like turnip cake and red bean cake. She took her role as mother and teacher seriously, and instilled positive qualities in her children such as always remembering to be charitable, telling them ‘If you have change in your pocket and somebody needs help, help them’, and also taught them to always keep trying and never give up, and she would remind them to be patient with oneself and others. Through it all Virginia was firm but fair with her children, and she was always there to support them in their endeavors.

In her later years, she enjoyed taking time to watch a little television, play mahjong with friends, and occasionally traveled with her daughters to Hawaii and China and even visited her brothers in Hong Kong.

Beloved mother of Carolyn Eng and her husband Norbert Eng, John Leung, Richard Leung and his wife Lai Ha Yee Leung, Robert Leung and his wife Stella Chin Leung, William Leung and his wife Lisa Leung and Marilyn Yong and her late husband Kenneth Yong. Cherished grandmother of her eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by her family and extended relatives.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend Virginia's Visiting Hours on Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 9:30am-10:45am at Hamel-Lydon Chapel 安泰殯儀館, 650 Hancock Street, Quincy. Eulogies and casket closing ceremony to begin at 11:00am followed by a procession to her residence in Brookline before arriving for her interment at Forest Hills Cemetery in Boston.

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