Joo Ja Cho

Joo Ja Cho, 86, passed away on May 3, 2026 surrounded by family. Loving wife of 63 years of Hong Rae Cho, M.D. Cherished mother of Steven Cho and his wife, Caroline Cho; Michael Cho and his wife, Mi-Hyon Cho; Ellen Dumark and her husband, Gregory Dumark; David Cho and his wife, Melissa Hile. Doting grandmother of Justin and his wife, Kelly, and Jessica; William and Isabella; Noah and Casey; Lorelei and Alexander.

Joo Ja was born on March 10, 1940 in Daegu, South Korea, and was the daughter of Jin Ha and Moo Sool Suh, and sister to seven brothers and sisters. After graduating from Hyosung National University with a degree in French, she got married in April 1963 and then moved to New York in July 1968 with her young, growing family to support her husband's professional dreams.

Joo Ja loved gardening, traveling, reading, cooking (and watching others eat her food), and K-dramas. Her favorite season was Spring when her favorite flowers started blooming again. Above all, her greatest source of joy was her family, and she loved their frequent family gatherings.

Entombment will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY. Details of a memorial service will be announced at a later date. Please consider a donation to the American Liver Foundation (https://liverfoundation.org/) or American Kidney Fund (https://www.kidneyfund.org/) in honor of Joo Ja Cho.