Holy Ong Hing, was born in Superior, Arizona, in 1930, to Ong Chun and Helen Hing. Holy was one of ten kids and was the fourth oldest child. He was an infant when his family moved to China, returning to America in 1937 when war began with Japan. His father was the first Chinese-American in Arizona to ever build a house for his wife and family.
While growing up in his historic house, Holy attended Superior High School and it was there that he learned to play tennis from his older siblings. He says he wasn’t very good at the beginning, but worked hard on his game and eventually made it on the University of Arizona’s varsity tennis team from 1949 to 1954 – possibly one of the first Asian-Americans to play on the UofA varsity tennis team.
Holy (aka Holly) won against all the top tennis players coming in from Tucson High. Every year, he enjoyed playing and beating their rival, Arizona State University. After graduation, he taught school at Picacho Elementary School for four years. In 1961, he took over Save Money Market, the family’s grocery store in Coolidge, which his father bought in 1946. Holy was married in 1962 to Lola from Hong Kong and together raised four Arizona high school state tennis champions. Their kids won eight state singles tennis titles and helped Coolidge High win five state team championships. All four of their kids attended Coolidge High School and graduated from the University of Arizona.
Besides tennis, Holy loved following a myriad of sports especially watching the Suns, the Diamondbacks, the Arizona Cardinals and his beloved Wildcat teams. He also enjoyed watching his grandkids play basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, and softball. During his time in California he stayed active by dancing, singing, and teaching mahjong at the senior center. Even though Holy lived primarily in California the last 14 years of his life, his heart was always in Arizona. He would visit at least three times a year and lunch at the Coolidge senior center, read at the Coolidge Library, hang out at The Legion and the VFW, sing karaoke at The Goose, and breakfast at Tag’s. Holy touched many lives.
Lola Hing was born in Hong Kong in 1938, the eldest of 3 children. At a very young age, she and her maternal grandmother escaped to Southern China during the occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. During her youth, she was raised mainly by her grandmother. Many years later she returned to Hong Kong and reunited with her mother, Sally Shum, sister Nora, and later with brother Kim. After finishing her education in Hong Kong, she worked as a doctor’s assistant for several years.
At age 23, she was introduced to Holy Hing, a Chinese-American from Arizona who was visiting Hong Kong. They fell in love instantly and wed that summer in 1962. Lola was excited about moving to the U.S. to be with her new husband but sad about leaving behind her family and friends. Her children recall her telling them that she knew absolutely nothing about Arizona when she first arrived. When she first stepped off the airplane into that hot summer heat, her first thought was to get back on the airplane and return home. Her children are glad she didn’t.
With only limited English when she arrived, she improved her English by watching soap operas like General Hospital and Day of Our Lives, and reading English gossip magazines and newspapers.
Over the next 45 years, Lola and Holy owned and operated the Save Money Market in Coolidge, Arizona. Many will remember Lola as a successful businesswoman and a generous person, often helping family and friends by providing loans to pay for homes and to start businesses.
Lola enjoyed many simple things in life such as playing MJ, traveling, raising pigeons, gardening, shopping, and watching TV. But her favorite pastime was cooking and eating. She collected stacks of recipe books and enjoyed cooking a variety of international cuisines. In her hometown, she was often known as the Chinese lady who made the best Mexican tamales.
Some of the proudest moments were gaining her U.S. Citizenship in 1992, learning to drive a car, and getting her driver’s license at age 62.
With an emphasis on a good education, she was proud to see her children graduate from the University of Arizona. Her four children graduated with degrees in Business, Computer Engineering, Pharmacy, and Information Technology.
Lola was a loving wife, a dedicated mother, and a successful entrepreneur.