Nice G Cho

April 1, 1924 - February 12, 2016

Nice G Cho, born in Madera and long-time resident of El Cerrito, California, died peacefully
on February 12, 2016 in Oakland, California. She was 91 years old.

Nice met her husband Orrin in Madera, California, and they married in 1948. They initially settled in Oakland, California. As the family grew, they bought their first home in Berkeley, California where they continued to grow and raise their family of 5 children. After the children were grown, they moved to El Cerrito, California into a home with a beautiful garden where Nice enjoyed her favorite pastime, gardening. Her green thumb grew amazing orchids, roses, azaleas, lilies, bird of paradise, chrysanthemums, camellias, daisies, fruit trees, and her favorite Chinese date tree.
Most of all, she loved being surrounded by family and friends, and in particular enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii with the whole family.

Nice was a graduate of UC Berkeley with a BA in Social Welfare. She held several positions at Federal agencies, including Social Security and the VA Administration. She retired from Social Security Administration in 1988. She was a devout Christian and worshipped with the congregation at Berkeley Chinese Baptist Church where she made numerous lifelong friends.
Surviving her are her loving and devoted husband of 67 years, Orrin, their 5 children Art (Jan), Diane, Joanne, Andrew (Gail), and Marcia (Mike), 5 grandchildren (Greg, Kristie, Kenneth, Devin and Alyssa), and 6 great grandchildren (Jaxon, Kalli, Tommy, Addyson, Cooper and Hailey).

A private family service will be held for her at Sunset View Cemetery in El Cerrito, California and a Celebration of Life will be held for Nice close to her birthday in April. Donations in Nice’s honor may be made to:

Berkeley Chinese Baptist Church
1951 Sacramento St
Berkeley, CA 94702

Or to:

R.E.A.C.H. West for Special Adults
R.E.A.C.H. West is a non-profit started in 2009 by her son Andy and other parents of children with special needs. Andy’s son Devin (Nice’s grandson), has autism. Please check out their website for further information.
www.reachwest.org
4221 San Pablo Dam Rd
El Sobrante, CA 94803

Nice G Cho, born in Madera and long-time resident of El Cerrito, California, died peacefully on February 12, 2016 in Oakland, California. She was 91 years old. Nice met her husband Orrin in Madera, California, and they married in 1948. They initially settled in Oakland, California. As the family grew, they bought their first homeContinue Reading

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Last night, the bananas on the counter were becoming speckled with brown spots. A call for making Auntie Nice’s “Moist Banana Bread” recipe. I fumbled through my recipe file and found the yellowed, handwritten recipe card Auntie Nice gave me years ago. I held the card in my hands, admiring her beautiful handwriting. I said to myself, “I will make this tonite.”. As the bread baked in the oven, the aroma of warm banana filled the house and gave me pause to reflect on my wonderful Aunt who has been in my life for all of my 60 years. I remember: When she made my sister and I matching corduroy jumpers. She made us feel so special and happy. When she accompanied me as a young child to visit my mother in the hospital after my Mom and Dad had been in a car accident on the Bay Bridge, c.1960s. I was scared and she comforted me. When we were kids, she would hand out candy or gum to all of us. That was such a treat. When visiting her home, the smell of coffee brewing. Warm and welcoming. Always offering something to eat, something to drink, to sit down and stay awhile. She was so hospitable. When my Mom died, she was with us through it all. She mourned with us. When my Dad was recovering from his stroke, she always brought food over for him and enough for the rest of us too. She was caring and giving. Whenever I saw Auntie Nice, she always wanted to give me something to go home with. Li-see for the kids, candy, or a box of Trader Joe’s Almond Thins. She was thoughtful and generous. Auntie Nice... loving, kind, generous. This morning I am enjoying a slice of that moist banana bread with a cup of coffee. This is comfort food at its best and even better now as it will always be connected with my fond memories of Auntie Nice. With love to Uncle Orrin and each of my Cho cousins, Kathy Go Ang

Dear Cho family. So sorry to hear of Auntie Nice's passing. May fond memories of her smile and kindness live in your hearts forever. Fondly, Gail Chun Louis

Dear Orrin and Family, I am praying for you dear Orrin and your dear family, may God bless you all with Peace. I miss you Nice and our nightly calls too. I am thankful God had blessed us with 90 plus years of fond memories and I will forever hold you in my heart for your love, friendship and encouragements. Your loving sister. May

Dear Uncle Orrin and Family, We send our deepest sympathy. We remember Auntie Nice fondly. She was kind and generous, and she always had a smile on her face. Joanne, thank you for posting those wonderful pictures. Sharon and Gordon Chun

Dear Uncle Orrin and family, May Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior bless you and comfort you during this painful time in your life. I remember Auntie Nice to be a great auntie, a great sister, a great mother a great grand mother and a great Christian and Godly woman. Auntie Nice exemplified and defined her name, NICE, yes, she was that, very,very nice!. Auntie Nice will be dearly missed but it is reassuring to realize she is in a much better place. She is in a beautiful place without any pain. We will continue to pray in a very special way for your family for healing during your time of grief.. May Jesus provide healing and strength and be a blessing to your entire family. Jesus Loves You!

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

I looked outside the other day and saw the red Orchid in bloom, whenever I see it I think of Auntie Nice and her bright smile. It was about 6 years ago when we went to visit Auntie Nice and looked at her garden with all her plants in it. Mom (May, her sister) always wanted to see her pretty flowers and Auntie Nice is always asking Mom about the best way to grow them. But mom is a farmer and we were always planting vegetables. She liked to grow flowers, but then Orchids that was totally foreign to us. Auntie Nice insisted we take one home, so we drove it 375 miles back to Moorpark. We weren't sure if they would survive in southern California but they did well and are a constant reminder of Auntie Nice and her thoughtfulness. The last visit I had with Auntie Nice I'll remember her waving good-bye to us with a sweet smile on her face as we left the hospital. I know she left us to go into the arms of Jesus where she is not in pain anymore and is waiting to see us again. God Bless you Uncle Orrin and all the Cho cousins.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Mom and Dad. The story behind this picture: We were preparing for Uncle Kong's 91st birthday party, where we would present his dear friend, Joan Fong, with a small plant to thank her for the dedicated care she provided to him. We couldn't decide between the small azalea or the small orchid, and Mom wanted to take a picture with them both. After we snapped the photo and took a look, we were amazed at the plant's perspective captured in the photo. We had a good laugh over the enormity of the photographed plants. So many good memories with you, Mom. I miss you a lot, but know you're enjoying all the flowers in Heaven. Love, Jo p.s. Mary Ellen, thanks for writing your tribute. I also uploaded a nostalgic picture from one of our family gatherings long ago. Mom included the photo in her speech at Uncle Kong's 91st birthday party.

Dear Uncle Orrin and Family, I remember fondly visits between our Berkeley homes. Auntie Nice often brought over her beautiful pink camellias with a beaming smile. It was always a pleasure to be with Auntie Nice. I grieve with you for your loss. My deepest condolences, Mary Ellen Chun Chu

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.