Mabel J. Leong

Mabel Jewik Leong January 11, 1928 - August 18, 2026 Mabel Jewik Leong was born on January 11, 1928, in Troy, New York, to the late Ik Jew and Wong Gon Hay. She was the third of six children born to this union. As with many Asian American families during that era, the hardships of the Great Depression led the family to seek better opportunities elsewhere. In June 1934, the family returned to Kwangtung Province, China settling in the village of Xia Lu. Mabel attended elementary and secondary school in China and was active in sports during her youth. In 1948, Mabel entered into an arranged marriage with James Y.C. Leong and subsequently moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where the couple established their home and built their future together. Mabel was baptized into the Christian faith at St. Louis Chinese Gospel Church. The values of her faith, including kindness, perseverance, humility, and compassion, were reflected in the way she lived her life and cared for others. In her early years in St. Louis, Mabel worked in the family hand-laundry business owned by her Father-In-Law while her husband, James, attended Saint Louis University pursuing a career as an Electrical Engineer with McDonnell Douglas Corporation. As the hand-laundry industry declined during the 1960s, the family made the decision to pursue a new opportunity in the restaurant business. While James provided the vision, Mabel partnered with her brother, James Jewik, to launch Egg Roll Kitchen. She later assumed full management of the business and successfully operated it until her retirement in 1995. Her accomplishments were extraordinary, particularly because she spoke limited English and never learned to read or write the language. Although Chinese carryout restaurants had already become a familiar presence in many African American communities throughout St. Louis, Egg Roll Kitchen distinguished itself through its exceptional standards and customer-focused approach. Under Mabel's leadership, the restaurant was known for its cleanliness, bright and welcoming environment, and transparent layout that allowed customers to visually see the process from placing the order to order completion. These qualities, combined with consistently good food and service, helped make Egg Roll Kitchen one of the most respected and influential restaurants in preserving the North St. Louis Chop Suey tradition. Although Mabel's formal education ended after high school, she strongly believed in the value of higher education. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to pursue college degrees and lifelong learning. She quietly supported many young Asian families in the St. Louis community by providing employment to wives while their husbands attended Covenant Theological Seminary to prepare for ministry. It was not uncommon for Mabel to send food home with these families, offering practical assistance wherever she could. A courageous and determined woman, Mabel built a life marked by hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication. Through perseverance and strength, she became a successful entrepreneur whose food brought comfort to countless customers and whose example inspired friends, family, employees, and members of the community. She will be remembered for her strength of character, generous spirit, quiet acts of kindness, and steadfast devotion to her family. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and in the family she loved so deeply. Mabel Jewik Leong, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, relative, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 98. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ik Jew and Wong Gon Hay; her husband, James Y.C. Leong; her siblings, Jenny Jewik, William Jeuick, George Jewik, and James Jewik; and her grandson, Daniel Leong Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory her sons, Desmond (Charlotte) Leong of St. Louis, Missouri, and Daniel (Theresa) Leong of Denver, Colorado; her sister, Gertrude Leong of Wilmette, Illinois; sisters-in-law, Emma Chu of St. Louis, Missouri, Pung Jewik of Los Angeles, California, and Dora Jewik of Benicia, California; grandchildren, Jennifer Leong-Smith (Vaan) of Atlanta, Georgia; Morgan Lawton (Erick) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Taylor Lawton (Katana) of Columbus, Ohio, great-granddaughter, Italics of Atlanta, Georgia; great-grandson, Taylor Jr of Columbus, Ohio and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and loved ones. "Well done, good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23 In Lieu of Flowers In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to the Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation (www.oralee.org). Founded by Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green, the Foundation is advancing an innovative cancer treatment known as Laser-Activated Nano-Therapy (LANT). This technology uses specially designed nanoparticles that are activated by a near-infrared laser to target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The Foundation's mission is to support the development of more effective, less invasive, and more accessible cancer treatments through research and human clinical trials. Through this tribute, Mabel's legacy of compassion, generosity, and concern for others can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families.