Obituary - Toi Gine Chan Woo

Toi Gine Chan Woo (Vivian) went to be with the Lord on October 1, 2025 at the age of 96 in Henrico, Virginia. She is preceded in death by her husband Goon Wong Woo (Joe). Survived by daughters Mary Hoffmann (Edward), Betty Woo, Bonnie Jansch (David) and Margaret Woo (Daniel), her grandchildren Spencer Woo, Micah Hoffmann, Catherine Jansch (Paul Jarasek Jr.) and Harrison Woo, and her great grandchildren Theo Hoffmann and Paul Jarasek III.

Toi Gine was born in the town of Toisan, China on February 22, 1929 to Wenpan Chen and Fahua Wu. In 1950 at the age of 21 she was married and immigrated to the United States. She learned to speak English and assimilated into the American way of life while retaining her Chinese customs and heritage. And in 1960 she became a proud U.S.citizen.

She was a devoted wife and mother but also worked tirelessly beside her husband as restaurant owners. One restaurant was located in the City of Petersburg, Virginia. The other, The Hong Kong Restaurant, was in the Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond. They also owned and operated 3 laundries. The Broadway Hand Laundry had two locations in the Church Hill neighborhood of Richmond and another laundry was in the Brookland Park neighborhood. Later she became a seamstress for Miller and Rhoads Department Store in Richmond and Leonard's Draperies in Beltsville, Maryland.

She lived most of her life in Virginia, some years in Petersburg and Sandston but the majority of her life was spent in the City of Richmond. She did live in Hyattsville, Maryland for 15 years only to return to the Richmond area for her latter years.

She became a Christian being baptized at the Richmond Chinese Congregation located at Grove Avenue Baptist Church on 1015 Grove Avenue. This congregation is now known as the Chinese Baptist Church of Richmond.

At the age of 60, after the passing of her husband, she amazingly learned to drive and got her license so she could be independent. She purchased, for the first time, her very own car, a Mercury Grand Marquis. She would happily offer her friends, most of whom did not drive, a lift whenever the need arose.

She loved to garden, cook, sew and listen and watch Chinese operas and videos. She was very social, enjoying a good meal with friends and her regular mahjong games. But above all, her love of family was always the priority.

Toi Gine was small yet mighty. She was strong inside as well as out though her small stature would suggest otherwise. She was steadfast and determined yet was full of grace, kindness and patience. She lived a full life displaying these traits up until her last days. You will be so missed, Toi Gine. Rest in peace.

Family and friends will be received at

Bliley Funeral Home
3801 Augusta Ave, Richmond, Virginia
Friday October 10th
Visitation 10:00 a.m
Funeral Service 11:00 a.m.
Followed by Interment at Riverview Cemetery
This service will also be live streamed and recorded.