Vicky Boughton, 78

Yong Tok “Vicky” Boughton, age 78, of Three Rivers passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, June 1, 2014 at her home. Yong was born in North Korea in 1935 the oldest daughter of seven children to Sung Ik Oh and Kwi Nyo Cho. She had fond memories growing up in the city of Pyongyang, the capital city in the north.

When the Korean war broke out in 1951 the family fled on foot to South Korea. Vicky finished her education near Seoul, South Korea and went on to work for the U.S. Government at Osan Air Force Base south of Seoul as a clerk typist. It was there that she met her future husband, Kenneth, who was stationed at that base.

On August 17, 1962 they were united in marriage. It took Yong 9 months to process the necessary paperwork in order to immigrate to the U.S. In April of 1963 Yong had all the proper documents to travel to the U.S. so Kenneth sent a one-way plane ticket for Yong to fly to the U.S., however her family of eight were still struggling from the effects of the war so she cashed in that ticket and bought a two year supply of rice for her family and arranged to sail on a U.S. Navy dependant transport ship across the Pacific for 17 days to San Francisco. Kenneth who was then stationed in San Antonio, TX., met her at the ship and they then drove 2500 miles to Three Rivers for a family celebration. After that they drove back to Lackland AFB to finish out Kenneth’s enlistment for 6 months.

In Sept. 1963 they moved back to Ken’s home town of Three Rivers where she spent the rest of her life. In the early 1970’s she sponsored her 5 living siblings and they immigrated to the U.S. At first she worked during the holidays for the local Newberry Dept. store decorating and gift wrapping. After her children grew up she went on to work for Armstrong International retiring in 1998 after 17 years of service. She enjoyed playing an occasional game of golf and tennis but most of all enjoyed gourmet cooking and tending to her flowers in the summer. She and Kenneth have two daughters, Gail Brady and Debra (Joe) Wilkins; six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, as well as many siblings and nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at the Hohner Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Brenda Deily and Chaplain Dan Lane officiating.

Interment will be held at Riverside Cemetery.

Memorials may be donated to the First Presbyterian Church or the Liver Foundation. Envelopes available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.hohnerfh.com