MOON KIM MALONSON , 78 , passed away January 2, 2008 in Apopka, FL, after living an adventurous life.  A former resident of the Freeport, Grand Bahama community Moon was an active member of the local chapter of the American Women’s Club and original member of the Grand Bahama Child Care Committee, 1977 – which established a temporary shelter for children who were neglected, abandoned and abused in 1978.

Moon was born in Korea, where as a child she won a national singing contest and went on to fame as beloved songstress Ok Doo Ok.   After immigrating to the U.S. in the late 1940s she studied at Julliard School of Music and continued to entertain, signed by RCA Records at the same time as Elvis Presley and Chet Atkins.

After acting in Hollywood and appearing on early television shows hosted by Perry Como, Ed Sullivan, and Johnny Carson, she settled into a broadcasting career at the Voice of America in Washington, DC.

In the 1960s she pursued a new passion, opening the first of what would become a long line of successful restaurants in Maryland, Florida, and the Bahamas.  The Malonsons relocated to Freeport, Grand Bahama in the early 1970’s and established several successful enterprises, including the Island Lobster House and Bahamas International Realty.

Re-inventing herself yet again, in the early 1980s she developed Reborn cream and became a recognized skin care expert to those eager to replicate her youthful glow. In addition to family and work, she had a passion for helping underprivileged children, ranging from organizing fundraisers for Korean War orphans, to founding the first temporary hostel in Freeport, Grand Bahamas.   

She took to the stage once again decades later in 1979 in a production entitled “An Evening with Moon and Friends”.   All proceeds from the successful show were donated to assist with the renovations of the children’s home, located on Jobson Avenue, Freeport.   She later served as a distinguished member of the Child Care Committee’s Board of Trustees.

Moon is survived by her husband of 42 years, Paul Malonson Sr. of Apopka; her children Marvin Kim Tsoy of Kissimmee, Edward Tsoy of Potomac, MD, Elizabeth Tsoy Gombash of Orlando, Cassandra Malonson of Boynton Beach, Christine Malonson Allen of Ocala, Paul Malonson Jr. of Beavercreek, OH, Moonbeam Malonson Hanson of Apopka, and Mark Malonson of Apopka. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren.   

Her Bahamian family includes Terrance, Lavender, Aryana Joy, Terrance 111 and Imani Roberts and a host of friends and admirers.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 11 AM at Kit Land Nelson Park, 18 North Forest Avenue, Apopka. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Comforter, 480 West Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714.