Hath Hoay

Daughter of Lim, Hoay and Chuen, Tip. Lim Hoay Hath was the seventh child of nine children in her family. She was married to Soksarith Roeung and had four children; two surviving; Tina Hoay and Samran Hoay and two deceased, Narong Hoay, and Ronch Hoay. In 1978 her husband escaped Cambodia from Pol Pot during the Khmer Rouge to flee to Thailand along with four people. Survivors believed they never reached their destination. Mom never remarried because of her sole belief that she would reunite with husband one day. In 1979 we left the village making our journey for America to join her two sisters; Aunties Hean and Hoy, and brother, uncle Chhing. From Khmer they arrived in Aranya Pratiti, Thailand. After a week we were separated from her siblings and transferred to Srass Keo camp with several other groups. Meanwhile, her siblings prepared for their arrival into America. Late 1979 she lost her youngest daughter, Ronch, 2 years of age in Srass Keo, Thailand from malaria disease. Three months in Srass Keo we were transferred once more to Mai Root camp. Where we remained for nearly 2 years. Finally, we received an approval to be relocated to the US in 1981. We landed in Oakland, CA where we reunited with her siblings. In 1990 we moved to Portland, OR then Mom moved to Vancouver, WA in the year 2000 to live with my sister, Tina, where she remained under her care for the duration of her life. Recently she announced some great news acknowledging her decision in adopting her only god son Dejkun Savy Soeun. We have expressed true blessings and cannot be happier with her wishes to welcome Dejkun Savy Soeun into our family. Mom enjoyed helping the Cambodian community and supporting the temples locally, in Kent, WA and beyond. She spent a lot of time being involved in charity and sharing her love for Buddha through her strong practice in sermons and prayers. Mom was a sweet, gentle, loving, supportive person whom had a strong sense of humor. She never abused us despite our different views she continued to love us all unconditionally. When mom became ill, she didn't give us much time to take care of her before she departed, maybe about a month. She mentioned that allowing us to take care of her was a burden to our lives and she didn't want that for us. We ensured her that there is no burden in caring for a woman who gave us life and who helped defined us all. A woman who battled many obstacles to get us to where we are today; a woman who is the matriarch of our family. We were willing to do whatever it took to make her feel better. It was our mission to bring her back to her normal youthful self despite the obstruction in her health. Mom had a brain tumor growing at the base of her skull impeding her ability to swallow. Doctors believed it was cancer but found it to be too risky to obtain a biopsy to confirm a definitive answer. Mom opted for radiation treatment in hopes to kill the cancerous tissues and shrink her pain through steroids and pain medications. At last, her body gave up and left us to mourn an irreplaceable soul. We strongly believe she is reunited with her husband, her other children and relatives who've passed on before her. Mom, we want you to know your 3 children, 4 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren amongst many several family members and friends you've touched dearly, love you so much and you will always be in our hearts. Please continue to watch over us from above.

Hath Hoay

January 10, 1939 - May 4, 2019