It is with heavy hearts and deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Saoeun Chea, who peacefully departed this world at the age of 70, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on March 2, 1954 in Cambodia, Saoeun spent her early years in Phnom Penh, where she worked as a talented seamstress. She bravely fled to Thailand to escape the Khmer Rouge war, saving her son and being the only ones in her immediate family to survive the war, before immigrating with relatives to Tacoma, WA in 1984.
In 1987, she and her young son and daughter moved in with the Imm family in Lowell, MA, and from there started a lifelong friendship with the Imms, who also grew to become her adopted family. For over three decades, Saoeun was a constant source of love, guidance, and support, raising not just her own children but also helping to raise the Imm children, who lovingly called her “Om” meaning older aunt in Khmer.
Saoeun’s life was defined by her selflessness, kindness, and gentle spirit. She was a devout Buddhist for all of her life. One of her proudest achievements was her 10-day pilgrimage to the Kiryvongsa Bopharam Buddhist Temple in Leverett, MA (known to the Cambodian community as “Wat Phnom”), where she studied meditation and Buddhist chants on three separate occasions alongside her best friend and God-sister, Sovinnara Imm, and hundreds of other participants. Saoeun also took great joy in volunteering at the local temple, where she attended fundraiser events, studied Buddhist teachings and meditation every weekend with her best friend, and helped to prepare food for the monks and clean up after services. She also regularly gave back to the Lowell community and other temples.
Saoeun was a beautiful and fashionable woman who had a keen appreciation for high-quality, beautiful clothes. Her love for fashion extended beyond her own wardrobe, as she often created exquisite garments with her own hands. In addition to her style and grace, Saoeun loved gardening, cooking, and spending time with her youngest daughter, Sila. The bond they shared was one of her greatest joys, alongside the time spent with her son Sam, grandsons Oliver and Elliott, and her beloved family and friends. She was known to be a fantastic cook who kept her family well fed with traditional Cambodian food and cut-up fruits. Shopping trips and walks along the Boulevard with Sovinnara were among her favorite pastimes.
In 2018, Saoeun achieved one of her proudest accomplishments by officially becoming a U.S. citizen, a testament to her perseverance and dedication. She worked as an assembler at Coating Systems Inc. for most of her adult life until her retirement in 2022.
Saoeun is survived by her daughter, Sila; her son, Samuel and his wife, Jacqueline Bourne; her grandsons, Oliver and Elliott Bourne; her best friend and God-sister, Sovinnara Imm and her husband, Songim Imm; her close friend, Chhorvy Pin; her God-nieces, Kanitha Nguyen and Vannoroth Imm; her God-nephew, Sayannarith Imm; and their families.
Saoeun’s presence in our lives was truly a gift. She taught us the meaning of selflessness, kindness, and unconditional love. Her gentle and nurturing spirit made her an angel on Earth, and now she has returned home to Heaven, leaving behind a legacy of love and compassion that will be cherished forever.
Love is braver than fear.
Saoeun’s wake will be held on Monday, September 2nd at 3 PM at the Glory Buddhist Temple in Lowell, MA, and procession/interment will be on Tuesday, September 3rd at 8:30 AM from the Glory Buddhist Temple to the Lowell Cemetery.
All who knew her or her family are welcome to attend. For those inquiring, flowers may be delivered to the McDonough Funeral Home (14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 01852, Attn: Saoeun Chea) until September 1st, and then the Glory Buddhist Temple (24 Cambridge Street, Lowell, MA 01852, Attn: Saoeun Chea) on September 2nd.
Donations may be made to her GoFundMe page
www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-saoeun-chea
which funds will be used to help cover her funeral costs. Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for your support, and for all your kind words and prayers during this difficult time.