Kolap Sen, 83, a longtime Lowell resident, passed away on Sunday, February 4 at her residence at Oxford Rehab in Haverhill after a long illness with her family by her side. She was the widow of the late Francis San Chim who passed away in 2008 after many years of marriage.
She was born on February 9, 1940 in Battambang, Cambodia where she owned and operated her own restaurant for several years until the outbreak of the Cambodian Civil War. She eventually emigrated to the United States, settling first in Chicago and later finding a home in Lowell, where she lived the rest of her life.
Kolap was a communicant of St. Patrick Church in Lowell for over 15 years. In her spare time she would be in the kitchen and if she wasn’t there, she’d be outside tending to her gardens. She was especially fond and attentive to roses, after all her name “Kolap” is Khmer for ”Rose”. Additionally, she loved listening to music and she adored her family, in particular her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, San Det Ung of Rhode Island, Sothar Chim of Cambodia, and Samnang Chim of Lowell and several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.
She was also the mother of the late Sochenda Chim and the late Sivornne Chim.
You are welcome to attend her visitation on Saturday, February 17 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 01852. Her cremation will be held privately at a later date.