Lea,how it still kills me to think of that tragic night when we all lost you. It had been years since I had talked to you but, it is horrific to know that you were taken in this manner. You were such a neat young woman, I had known you since Sierra Middle school, to see your pic on the news that night. It still haunts me Lea! I believe that you are resting in peace. Bev Arias
Lea and I became best friends starting from the 4th grade. I still remember walking home together from Mountain View elementary with our violins in hand. It was a kind of friendship where we would spend time at school all day and then we would call each other up on the phone to talk some more.
Of course, our strong friendship continued in high school. We had a strong bond with many things in common including the love of hanging out at the mall and dreaming about Duran Duran. Her love was for John Taylor and mine was for Simon LeBon. Looking back, those days seem so innocent. We were abit naive and innocent by choice.
We were quite the bopsy twins in high school. We both played on the tennis team and were very competitive with each other in every aspect but supported each other as well.
By the time high school was coming to an end, I felt the need to find my own independence so I opted to go away to U.C. Irvine and she chose to stay at home and attend U.C. Riverside despite her plea for me to attend UCR with her.
We kept in touch the best we could but we both found new friends and went our separate ways. I, unfortunately, did not find as much time to go home as often as I should have. We started to split apart.
I encouraged her to join a sorority like I did. She eventually did and loved it. I think it was my way of feeling less guilty for leaving her. Now looking back, I thought that if she had fun at UCR, it would help me feel less guilty of splitting us apart.
After college, I went to law school. I realized that despite my involvement in a large sorority, finding a friendship like I had with Lea was so rare and unique. I started to miss her and wanted to spend more time with her.
I recall having lunch with her at TGIF at the Galleria in Riverside a few weeks before her death. We were talking about wanting to come back home to Riverside for the summer. I was living in Los Angeles attending my first year of law school and she was living in Huntington Beach at a new job at Ladies Footlocker in Crystal Court. She had moved out on her own which was a big step for her. We talked about spending time together like the good old days and I had hoped that we could reconnect. I remember at lunch the subject of marriage came up and she told me that if I ever got married, she'd better be my maid of honor. I don't know how this subject came up as neither one of us were even in a serious relationship. I remember telling her how I wanted to go bar hopping with her as it was something she was enjoying with her new friends.
I remember looking so forward to coming home for the summer and spending time with Lea. I remember finishing up my exams a few weeks later and the first thing I did when I drove home to Riverside was call up Lea. Little did I know, she had passed away tragically the night before. It was a shock. We were so eager to hang out over the summer but a weird twist of face disrupted our plans.
That summer, I chose to take law courses in Vancouver to get away from it all...all the sadness of losing the only best friend I have ever had. I met my husband while on this trip, something that was the least expected. I think about how different my life would have been but for Lea's death. It's strange to think that I would not have had the same husband or kids if things were different and Lea had not passed away. I never would have been in Vancouver that summer because I would have been hanging out with Lea in good old Riverside.
Lea was a great friend...my very best friend. She was generous, competitive, and funny. She had many dreams of making it big one day and becoming rich. She had a strong bond with her close knit family including her parents, younger brother, and many extended relatives.
Lea's death helped me gain so much perspective in life and it was a reminder about how short life can be.
I have realized that friendships like the one I had with Lea do not come around everyday. The female bond that we shared is so rare and should always be cherished. In fact, a friendship like ours comes around only once in a lifetime.
Thank you Lea for touching my life as well as others that were lucky enough to cross your path. May you continue to rest in peace.
Sometimes, Google is NOT your best friend. I really didn't need to find out as much about this as I have. I'm very truly sorry for her family. She was always a very sweet, kind and good-hearted person in high school. I ... Well, there really are no words to express the sadness in my heart.
I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT GOOGLE . I DID THE SAME THING WAS SO GRAFIC ... .. I HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO STOP THINKING ABOUT HER SINCE ... I HAD HER A A FEW CLASSES DIDNOT KNOW HER REAL GOOD .. LIKE CASUAL HELLOS... BUT I KNOW SHES IN A BETTER PLACE... MY HEART HURTS ALSO MAY SHE REST IN PEACE... WHAT A HORRIFIC THING . THAT HAPPEND TO HER. GOD BLESS
Just like you Jimmie, when I read about what "REALLY" happened could not stop thinking of her and how unfair it was she had to endure such tragedy. I always remember whe she liked my brother Kurt and was always looking for me to see where he was. It was funny. May she rest in peace.
Kay, I can only imagine how hard this must have been for you. I'm glad you are doing well. Take care of yourself. You have a beautiful family.
It is hard to believe that it has been almost 15 years ago since Lea's death. I have many great memories of her since Mt. View Elementary school, but Lea and I became better friends when we were attending UCR and working at wonderful Sears. I miss her and as I lost my Mother this past November- it really makes you stop and realize that life is too short and we need to appreciate all the people that have touched our lives. I miss her very much but know that she is in a much better place...
Beverly Arias
Lea,how it still kills me to think of that tragic night when we all lost you. It had been years since I had talked to you but, it is horrific to know that you were taken in this manner. You were such a neat young woman, I had known you since Sierra Middle school, to see your pic on the news that night. It still haunts me Lea! I believe that you are resting in peace.Bev Arias
Jimmie Martinez (Jones)
what happend to her? i used to have her in a few classes ... i am so sorry about her passingjimmie jones(martinez)
Kai Chen (Cardle)
Tribute to Lea Wong by Kai ChenLea and I became best friends starting from the 4th grade. I still remember walking home together from Mountain View elementary with our violins in hand. It was a kind of friendship where we would spend time at school all day and then we would call each other up on the phone to talk some more.
Of course, our strong friendship continued in high school. We had a strong bond with many things in common including the love of hanging out at the mall and dreaming about Duran Duran. Her love was for John Taylor and mine was for Simon LeBon. Looking back, those days seem so innocent. We were abit naive and innocent by choice.
We were quite the bopsy twins in high school. We both played on the tennis team and were very competitive with each other in every aspect but supported each other as well.
By the time high school was coming to an end, I felt the need to find my own independence so I opted to go away to U.C. Irvine and she chose to stay at home and attend U.C. Riverside despite her plea for me to attend UCR with her.
We kept in touch the best we could but we both found new friends and went our separate ways. I, unfortunately, did not find as much time to go home as often as I should have. We started to split apart.
I encouraged her to join a sorority like I did. She eventually did and loved it. I think it was my way of feeling less guilty for leaving her. Now looking back, I thought that if she had fun at UCR, it would help me feel less guilty of splitting us apart.
After college, I went to law school. I realized that despite my involvement in a large sorority, finding a friendship like I had with Lea was so rare and unique. I started to miss her and wanted to spend more time with her.
I recall having lunch with her at TGIF at the Galleria in Riverside a few weeks before her death. We were talking about wanting to come back home to Riverside for the summer. I was living in Los Angeles attending my first year of law school and she was living in Huntington Beach at a new job at Ladies Footlocker in Crystal Court. She had moved out on her own which was a big step for her. We talked about spending time together like the good old days and I had hoped that we could reconnect. I remember at lunch the subject of marriage came up and she told me that if I ever got married, she'd better be my maid of honor. I don't know how this subject came up as neither one of us were even in a serious relationship. I remember telling her how I wanted to go bar hopping with her as it was something she was enjoying with her new friends.
I remember looking so forward to coming home for the summer and spending time with Lea. I remember finishing up my exams a few weeks later and the first thing I did when I drove home to Riverside was call up Lea. Little did I know, she had passed away tragically the night before. It was a shock. We were so eager to hang out over the summer but a weird twist of face disrupted our plans.
That summer, I chose to take law courses in Vancouver to get away from it all...all the sadness of losing the only best friend I have ever had. I met my husband while on this trip, something that was the least expected. I think about how different my life would have been but for Lea's death. It's strange to think that I would not have had the same husband or kids if things were different and Lea had not passed away. I never would have been in Vancouver that summer because I would have been hanging out with Lea in good old Riverside.
Lea was a great friend...my very best friend. She was generous, competitive, and funny. She had many dreams of making it big one day and becoming rich. She had a strong bond with her close knit family including her parents, younger brother, and many extended relatives.
Lea's death helped me gain so much perspective in life and it was a reminder about how short life can be.
I have realized that friendships like the one I had with Lea do not come around everyday. The female bond that we shared is so rare and should always be cherished. In fact, a friendship like ours comes around only once in a lifetime.
Thank you Lea for touching my life as well as others that were lucky enough to cross your path. May you continue to rest in peace.
Jason Collier
Sometimes, Google is NOT your best friend. I really didn't need to find out as much about this as I have. I'm very truly sorry for her family. She was always a very sweet, kind and good-hearted person in high school. I ... Well, there really are no words to express the sadness in my heart.Jimmie Martinez (Jones)
I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT GOOGLE . I DID THE SAME THING WAS SO GRAFIC ... .. I HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO STOP THINKING ABOUT HER SINCE ... I HAD HER A A FEW CLASSES DIDNOT KNOW HER REAL GOOD .. LIKE CASUAL HELLOS... BUT I KNOW SHES IN A BETTER PLACE... MY HEART HURTS ALSO MAY SHE REST IN PEACE... WHAT A HORRIFIC THING . THAT HAPPEND TO HER. GOD BLESSKim McCormick (Ponce)
Just like you Jimmie, when I read about what "REALLY" happened could not stop thinking of her and how unfair it was she had to endure such tragedy. I always remember whe she liked my brother Kurt and was always looking for me to see where he was. It was funny. May she rest in peace.Kay, I can only imagine how hard this must have been for you. I'm glad you are doing well. Take care of yourself. You have a beautiful family.
Mandy Zuniga (Adkins)
It is hard to believe that it has been almost 15 years ago since Lea's death. I have many great memories of her since Mt. View Elementary school, but Lea and I became better friends when we were attending UCR and working at wonderful Sears. I miss her and as I lost my Mother this past November- it really makes you stop and realize that life is too short and we need to appreciate all the people that have touched our lives.I miss her very much but know that she is in a much better place...