Cicely Tong

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Cicely Tong, 98, a long-term resident of Glenn Dale, Maryland, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2026. She was born on March 1, 1928, in Danielstown, Essequibo, Guyana, South America, to the late Carlos DeFreitas and Julia Ifill. After her father’s passing in 1936, Cicely was raised by her mother and grandparents on their farm, where she helped tend the animals while attending elementary school. At the age of seventeen, she moved to the capital city of Georgetown, Guyana, to begin her working life.

At twenty-one years of age, she met Rodwell W. Tong, whom she married three years later on April 26, 1952. Together they had six children. She was a true caregiver at heart and would become “mother” to many more, including her six “bonus” children. In addition, her “grandchildren and great-grandchildren” not only consisted of her own, but anyone who felt a connection to her. Her house was always filled with love and laughter, where she made room for those who needed a bed and/or a meal, or just a listening ear. She was a woman of quiet wisdom, strength, courage, endurance, humor, and unwavering devotion to both her family, and extended family and friends. Cicely was a caring and supportive mother who shared unconditional love with all of her “children.” She was affectionately known as Mom, Mommy, Granny, Ya-Ya, Cousin Cicely, Aunty Cicely, Ayee, and many other terms of endearment that reflected the special role she played in people’s lives.

Cicely continued to build her professional life as a domestic worker while raising her family in Guyana, until she migrated to the United States in October 1978. In the USA she continued her work as a proud domestic worker and caregiver until 1980, when she joined her dear cousin, Joyce DeSouza as a cook at the Kaieteur Restaurant. She relocated to New York in 1984, where she changed careers after successfully completing a Training/Competency Testing Methodology for Home Attendant and Personal Care Services. She would continue in that career until 1988, when she relocated back to Maryland with her youngest daughter to help care for her grandchildren. In retirement, she fully embraced her love of caregiving, going wherever the need arose. Her care ranged literally from the “cradle to the grave,” and she always did it with grace and love. In her spare time, she enjoyed cooking, sewing, and doing word search puzzles.

Cicely was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rodwell W. Tong; her son, Rodwell A. Tong; her daughter, Desrie Fleming; and her parents. She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Dennis (Laverne), Donna, David, Rosanna, Camille, Dalton (Linda), Gem (Garfield), Petal, and Jerome; her grandchildren, Blossom, Abenaa, Arlene, Denise, Kwesi, Donnis, Deoesi, Kevin, Dior, Stacy, Shondell, Morisa, David, Brittany, Jason, Imani, Davon, Kevin, Sean, Casey, Kira, Anisa, Rodwell A. Jr., Faith, Reuel, Ronel, Rizpah, Sophia, Nicole, Geahna, Kareem, Kiara, Kira, Nevaeh, and Maliyah; 72 great-grandchildren; 29 great-great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Claudette and Tessa; brothers-in-law, Lenox and Joshua; nieces and nephews; and many extended family and friends who loved her dearly and will miss her beyond measure.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Memory of Cicely Tong to St Jude’s Children’s Research www.stjude.org or click St Jude’s

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Memory of Cicely Tong to St Jude’s Children’s Research www.stjude.org or click St Jude’s

Interment will be private.