Clara Lum

Clara Lum, age 96, of Astoria, passed away Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, in Astoria, Oregon. On Sept. 20, 1919, Clara was born in Astoria to Wong Sang and Ma Chee. She along with her siblings, Elvin, Norman, and May, made Astoria their home. Clara excelled in school and was one of the top graduates of her class at Astoria High School. In December 1939, she married John Lum and began working at Lum Quing Grocery with her husband. They started their own family and continued to run the store until its closing. After the store closed she worked as an AT&T telephone operator. Clara was a woman of many talents. She was one of the most talented green thumbs around and enjoyed taking care of her beautiful orchids and bountiful garden. Many enjoyed the delicious blueberry pies and muffins and raspberry jam she would make. She loved to crochet and knit, creating gifts for her family, friends and also strangers in need. She would jump rope with her grandkids and be up for an adventure to find a scoop of ice cream anytime. She had a keen mind, loved logic and math puzzles and would often tutor people in mathematics. She was an avid reader, who loved to explore the world around her through her books, continuing her lifelong love of learning. Clara also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, word games, especially Scrabble and Upwords, and mahjong. She happily shared her love of games with her family and friends by teaching them to play. A beautiful and generous soul, Clara was a devout Christian, who truly lived her faith with wisdom and grace. The home that she and Johnny created was often a sanctuary of peace, love and music where family and friends loved to gather. If you entered their home, you would never leave hungry or without the knowledge that you were loved. She is now home joining her husband Johnny; sons Bob, Jim, John Jr. and Andrew; siblings Elvin Wong, Norman Wong and May Yee; and many other lovely friends in heaven. Clara is survived by her eldest son, Ron Lum and his wife May Ling Lum (Napa, California); Jean Lum, widow of Bob (Eugene, Oregon), and Judy Lum, widow of Jim (Colorado Springs, Colorado); grandchildren Kimberly Schwarzhoff and her husband Scott (Mountain View, California), Andrea Lum (Sacramento, California), Reimi Lum (Ontario, Oregon), Angela Lum Klein and her husband Reinhardt (Mountain View, California) and Eli Lum and his wife Sarah (New York, New York); great-grandchildren William and Claire Schwarzhoff; sister-in-law Lillian Wong (Astoria, Oregon); brother-in-law David Lum and his wife Shirley (Astoria, Oregon), and sister-in-law Flora Chan (Astoria, Oregon), as well as and many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held, Friday, Febr. 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary located at 1165 Franklin, Astoria, Oregon. The memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 6, beginning at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, located at Seventh and Commercial streets. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church in Astoria, Oregon. Special thanks to the staff of the Clatsop Retirement Village for their many years of lovely care.