Soon Myoung Chung

1936  –  2024

Soon Myoung Chung

Soon Myoung Chung, beloved mother, wife, and sister, passed away peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior on April 2, 2024.  She was born near Pyongyang, North Korea in 1936. In the months leading up to the Korean War, Soon and her family fled to the south where, like many at that time, they built a new life in Seoul, South Korea.

Soon graduated from the prestigious Ewha University with a bachelor’s degree in education. She married Won Pal Chung and immigrated with their young family to the United States in 1965, first to the east coast and eventually landing in Anchorage by way of Nome, Alaska, where her husband served as the Medical Director of the Maynard-McDougall Memorial Hospital from 1969-1971.

Soon firmly believed that the church and civic service were the foundation for a rewarding life. She and her husband recognized the need to support the growing Asian American community residing in Alaska. In 1976, they opened Arirang Restaurant to offer an elevated Korean, Chinese, and Japanese dining experience. In 1982, Soon co-founded the Anchorage Korean Language School where she was also an instructor, and in 1983, she helped establish the Asian Alaskan Cultural Center. For many years, Soon also served as an Ambassador for the Sister Cities Commission, promoting international trade and cultural exchanges between Anchorage and Incheon (Korea).

Soon also served as an elder in the church, established and toured with the Korean Mothers’ Choir, and remained active with her Ewha University Alumni Association. She enjoyed opportunities to travel around the world and experience new things, particularly foods and music from other cultures.

Soon loved life ~ a life celebrating God and the outdoors. She cherished all things Alaskan: its independent spirit and raw beauty, hiking the outdoors, the long summer months of fishing, clam digging, and foraging for mushrooms, fiddlehead ferns and berries. Soon enjoyed sharing her successful harvest through her delicious culinary endeavors. Meals at her home meant good food and fellowship, along with singing and storytelling.

Soon never lost hope for a reunified Korea. Though unrealized before her passing, she longed to see her birthplace once again and would often share memories from her childhood of the beautiful hills, valleys, brooks, and meadows. It is our hope that she is moving freely, without borders, to revisit those happy memories.

She is survived by two sisters, her five children — Mary, George, Susan, Marian, and Angela —  and six grandchildren.  A Celebration of Life is planned for summer/fall 2024 in Anchorage, Alaska.

The Chung family would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to the caregivers and many friends who helped our family during this difficult time. Thank you for being a part of Soon’s journey. She lived a full and abundant life in Christ and will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers and gifts for Soon & Family, please consider donating to the Food Bank of Alaska or to the Alaska Botanical Garden.