Phuong Van Lam
A Celebration of Life
1931-2010
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Phuong Lam, aged 78. Mom passed away peacefully on March 28, 2010, in the Burns Lake and District Hospital, after battling breast cancer and strokes, for many years. She was lovingly surrounded by family and friends.
Phuong was born on September 21, 1931. She moved from Civil War China to Cambodia at an early age where she and Ky were successful with an industrial bakery, and blessed with so many children. Later she and Ky miraculously survived the genocide and killing fields of Cambodia, escaping to Vietnam and later Indonesia, along with their children and paternal Great-Grandmother, where they were sponsored by the Burns Lake Baptist Church in 1980. They arrived in Canada on a cold 40 below January evening and woke up to their new lives in Burns Lake. Phuong enjoyed working beside her husband and children in building up the new family business, China Moon Restaurant, which the family continues to operate. She and Ky looked forward to travelling the world more as they neared retirement. Sadly Phuong suffered a debilitating stroke in 1997 and was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly afterward. She worked tirelessly at maintaining her health and fitness with the help of Ky, her family and the Burns Lake Home Support workers. Mom enjoyed a happy life, and despite her illness, continued to find joy in looking out her window at an ever changing world, at helping her children raise the next generation well, and at having family and friends visit each day for all these years.
Phuong is survived by her husband of 60 years, Ky Lam. She is survived by her children: Voy (Mai), Van (Ty), Muoi (Tuong), Sam (Phung), Chau (Khon), Teanne (Garry). Phuong is survived by her nephew, Tai (Nguyet) and their children Amy and Donny, and nieces Crystal (Joel), Christina (George). Phuong is also survived by her many grandchildren: Jennifer (Ryan), Andrew, Paul, David, Tom (Johanna), Lucy, Allan, Brian, Steven, Jeffrey, Jonathan, Melinda, Katelynn, Janelle, Rhianna, Beth. Phuong was so happy to see her great-grandson, Avery, in her last days. Phuong is survived by her two brothers and one sister, as well as many other family members in the USA.
We thank the Pall Bearers for Phuong’s last journey: Andrew Lam, Paul Lam, David Lam, Tom Vien, Allan Ly, Brian Lam, Steven Lam, Jeffrey Lam, Jonathan Ly, Donny Lam.
Family, guests and friends were invited to speak from the heart for Phuong and with the family at this time of sadness. We thank each of you for joining us and for helping us all understand Phuong’s life and her passing.
Memorial tributes to the Cancer Society or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation were requested in lieu of flowers.
Interment was in the Burns Lake Cemetery.