Shirley Eng Lam

In the early morning of November 30th. 2023, Shirley Lam, age 93, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away peacefully at the Hermitage Richmond surrounded by her son Perry Lam, her daughter Sue Kay Lam-Kent, and her son-in-law Jesse Kent. Shirley was born in Norfolk, Virginia to Lee Hi Ginn Eng and Mah Ong Toy and was the youngest of their 7 children. Her 6 siblings and their spouses preceded her in death: Mae Chao (Ho), Colonel Ernest Eng (Anita), Betty Allen (Bill), George Eng (Anne), Nancy Mah (Ying), and Peggy Moy (Willie). She met her husband, Johnny Lam when he was an art student in Philadelphia, who was offered a scholarship to go to Paris to continue his passion for art. After meeting, they both followed their newfound passion together to marry and start a family together in Hampton, Virginia, where they had two children, Perry, and Sue Kay. Johnny’s award-winning artwork is prominently displayed throughout family members’ homes. After the untimely death of Johnny in 1973, Shirley became a single parent at the young age of 43, raising 2 teenage children while continuing to own and operate Chin’s Restaurant and Chin’s Laundry and Dry Cleaners. She would often tell her children “Dad will keep us clean with the laundry and dry cleaners and I will keep you fed with the restaurant”. Her strength, resilience, and kindness during this time continues to be remembered by her loved ones and friends. She considered all the customers as extended members of the family. Shirley’s son, Perry married Sunny Lee in 1990 in Hong Kong and together have 3 daughters Kimberly, Karina, and Kristine. Almost every year Shirley would travel 17+ hours to Hong Kong or her granddaughters would fly from Hong Kong to spend their summer vacations together in which they cherished every moment with fond memories, laughter, and delicious food. Sue Kay married Jesse Kent in 1989 in Hampton, VA, who Shirley loved and regarded as a second son. They traveled together throughout the Caribbean, Canada and USA and at times, Shirley’s siblings and their spouses would join them as they made wonderful memories. Shirley was very generous with her time and had a lot of love, patience, and understanding to share. Many called her their 2nd Mom and Grandma especially her numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She would often listen to others and when asked, offered gentle words of support and wisdom. She also demonstrated her endless love through cooking, entertaining, and conversation. She never cooked with a recipe – it was always through taste and memory. Shirley would and could dirty every pan she owned and was famous for never washing them until after the meal was done and eaten! She also had a funny sense of humor and loved to laugh and smile – and what a beautiful smile she had that lit up a room! Shirley was an avid traveler and explored many cultures and cuisines throughout Asia, Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Latin American and the United States. In addition to her joy for cooking, she also had a green thumb and spent endless hours nurturing her home garden with always a bountiful harvest of Chinese winter melons, bitter melons, string beans and peppers. When asked what her secret was to gardening, she would always reply, “The harvest is the result of the love, attention, and joy that God has provided us.” Shirley was well known for always looking her best. She never missed her weekly hair appointments at 10 a.m. on Thursday and her monthly manicures and pedicures! She always had an eye for color and fashionable clothes and maintained this strict routine until she passed. More than anything she loved and prioritized her family. Shirley was deeply loved in return. Shirley had been a member of the Hampton Baptist Church and Family Bible (Chinese) Church. She was currently a member of Grace Baptist Church as well as attending Sunday services at Hermitage Richmond. There will be a private funeral service at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, VA. On December 16, 2023, there will be a Celebration of Life for Shirley at Hermitage Richmond Chapel, 1600 Westwood Ave, Richmond, VA 23227 at 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers, the family ask to please send donations to: Family Bible (Chinese) Church: 5545 Susquehanna Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 Grace Baptist Church : 4200 Dover Road, Richmond, VA 23221 Hermitage Richmond - Pinnacle Living Donor Development Office: 120 Eastshore Drive, Suite 130, Glen Allen, VA 23059