Marie Dong Ko was born in Oakland, California on December 28, 1937, the fourth child of

Velma Young and Jong Look Dong. She grew up near Oakland Chinatown and went to Lincoln

School, Westlake Jr High School and Oakland Tech High. Marie had four siblings: Delores

Quan, Melvin Dong (deceased), Lorraine Chew, and Beverly Owston.

Marie was married to Billy K. Ko for 39 years before his passing in 2002. She loved to tell the

tale of how she met her husband: He taught her how to bowl, and she loved bowling so much

that she married her teacher. Marie continued to bowl well into her 80s, maintaining a

competitive bowling average all the while.

Marie served the Federal Government for 32 years, retiring in 1998 after a career that included

service with the U.S. Air Force, Headquarters, Sixth U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Audit Agency,

and the NASA Ames Research Center. She was proud of her work as an administrative

assistant and the many years she spent serving her country.

Marie believed in loving and living life to the fullest. She loved road trips and travel, nature and

all its critters, and was especially fond of the Coastal Redwoods. Her favorite destination was

the Grand Canyon, which she visited three times in her life: once with her young family, once on

a senior trip, and most recently in April of last year with her "Nevada Family."

Marie's greatest pride and joy was her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She

extended that same love and compassion to many others throughout her life, opening both her

heart and home to many other "adopted" children.

Marie is survived by her three children, Karla Marie Upton, Bill Ko Jr, and Katherine Ellis, and

their spouses; five grandchildren, Marjorie von Nordeck, Jessica Stone, David Upton Jr, and

Bryce and Brandt Ellis; and four great grandchildren, Shelby Montague, Emily Vasquez, and

Samantha and Charlotte Stone.

Marie will live on in the hearts of her many loved ones, and in every hummingbird and rose

garden they meet along their journey.