Grace Ong Hing established and funded the Helen & Ong C. Hing Family First-Generation Scholarship in 2015. Since then, the scholarship continues to award two $1400 scholarships annually.
Grace Ong Hing, born on Dec. 2, 1940, was the daughter of Superior pioneers Helen and O.C.
Hing. Her parents were owners of Spring Garden Grocery and Save Money Market.
Grace lived in San Francisco, California for over 45 years. After retirement, she resided in both San Francisco and Mesa.
Grace, one of 10 children, graduated from Superior High School in 1958. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in sociology from Arizona State University in 1962, her Master of Social Work (M.S.W) at California State University, Sacramento, CA in 1967 and Juris
Doctor (J.D.) from the University of San Francisco in 1977.
Grace devoted her life to public service. Her career focused on social work, urban planning and economic/community development. She worked for both the San Francisco Human Services Agency and as a Planner for the City and County of San Francisco, Planning Department. Her mission in life was to help change communities, fulfilling her aspiration of making the world a better place to live. Grace’s interest in politics led her to serve on campaign committees for several Presidential candidates. She worked as a volunteer for numerous local, state, and Congressional candidates. She was responsible for organizing the first voter registration drive in North Beach, Chinatown area. Grace also participated in state legislative and Congressional hearings and was a delegate to White House briefings on issues concerning Asian Pacific families.
Grace’s extensive community service involvement included serving on the Board of Directors and committees of non-profit organizations at the local, national and international level, including: National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (NCASAA), Pacific Asian Women Bay Area Coalition (PAAWBAC), Child Abuse Council,Catholic Social Services and International Council on Social Welfare.
Grace was full of life and energy. Walking the “hills” of San Francisco was a daily ritual. Her hobbies and leisure activities included keeping up with financial and business opportunities, traveling, shopping and discovering new places to dine. She was a “foodie” and happiest when she was planning her next meal or where she wanted to go out to lunch or dinner either alone or with family and friends.
Grace was thoughtful, kind, and generous.