Consuelo Koo Defaria Neves

As we gather to celebrate the life of Consuelo Koo Defaria Neves, we remember a woman who touched the hearts of many and left an indelible mark on those who knew her.  Consuelo Koo Defaria Neves, known to her loved ones as Mom, Grandma, Nana, Abuelita, Auntie, Connie, and Mama Con, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2024, in Foster City, California, United States. She was born on November 19, 1926, in Lima, Peru, to Jose Koo Fu (Go Lum Fook) and Catalina Chan (Chan Sau Ying) who had seven children – Ricardina, Teresa, Josephina “Fina,” Rosa, Juan, Consuelo and Beatrice “Bea.”  All have preceded her in their call to Heaven. 

Consuelo was an incredibly beautiful, stylish, talented and self-assured woman.  When Consuelo was 5 years old, her sister Ricardina taught her how to sew.  Consuelo made a dress for her doll out of a rogue sleeve cutting. This ignited Consuelo’s love to design and create clothes. 

At age 6, Consuelo’s paternal grandfather in Southern China passed away and left the rice farm to her father.  The family made the decision that the four youngest children, Rosa, Juan, Consuelo, and Bea, would move with the father to China first.  Consuelo recalled that the boat journey took close to a month!  Mother and the three eldest sisters planned to follow after closing their dry goods shop.  In reality, of the four, only Fina ended up moving to China.

Rosa was six years older than Consuelo and worked as a maid.  Rosa moved Consuelo and Bea into a convent a couple years after they moved to China to provide them with a better life.  When Consuelo was 10 years old, her father re-married, and Fina and her husband, Augusto, took Consuelo into their care. 

At age 18, Consuelo married Ah Yip.  They lived in Canton, China and Hong Kong and had one child, Pauline.  Ah Yip passed shortly after.   Consuelo shared her passions with Pauline, including crafting and traveling.  Consuelo’s favorite vacation was a shopping trip to Rome with Pauline. 

Consuelo was especially close to Fina who was like a second mother to her.  Fina’s second husband, Dicky, and Cyril were childhood friends.  It was through Fina and Dicky that Consuelo met Cyril who later became her husband. 

Consuelo was a gorgeous and crafty young woman who knew how to maximize her assets.  She was working at the shipping magnet Choy Yerk Boh when Colonel Kwan, a “cheeky looking” gentleman came in and asked her what her role was and if she liked her job.  She was indifferent, so he said, “Come with me now!”  They immediately walked out the door, and it was then that Consuelo started her career as a sales representative for Northwest Airlines.  Her beauty and charisma brought her much success with Northwest.  The best time in her life was the 15 years when she worked for Northwest Airlines. 

Consuelo and Cyril lived in Canada until Cyril passed in 2002.  After Cyril’s passing, Consuelo moved to Foster City to be with the family. 

Consuelo is survived by her daughter, Pauline, son in law, Tim, grandsons Kevin (Cindy + children Tyler, Kylie, Jimmy), and Brian (Christel + child Maxwell).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Research Hospital.