Savang Tek

Our Mother Savang Tek was born in Siem Reap City, (Srok Kantal Stung, Khet Kandal ) Cambodia on July 20, 1916. Her father, Chey Tek, served as the head monk at Wat Salong before he married her mother, Choung Tip, a homemaker. She was the eldest of five siblings who all passed before her. At a young age, she learned how to read Pali Buddhist language, studied classical dance in the Royal Palace as well as various skills such as sewing and cooking. She married her husband, Son Meas, in 1936. They had seven children, two boys and five girls. She lost all five daughters to ailments at young ages. Her heart continued to long for a daughter so in 1966 she adopted her three year old niece, Sophaly Kim, and took her in as her own. Together, their relationship as mother and daughter became everything she dreamt it to be. In early 1979 during the Khmer Rouge Regime, she lost her eldest son, Chanron Meas, and was separated from her youngest son, Boramy Sun Meas. Mother Savang and Sophaly were reunited with Boramy in late 1979 in Camp Khao I Dang, Thailand.

In 1981, she came to America with the sponsorship of her loving family and lived in San Diego with Boramy. Her children and grandchildren describes her as a “god living amongst us.” She had the patience of a saint, temperament of an angel and never harmed a living creature. She was always kind and compassionate to everyone around her.

On April 3, 2016, she passed away peacefully during an afternoon nap in the home she shared with her son and daughter-in-law.

She loved eating, sewing, reading, and was a devote Theravada Buddhist. She thrived on doing good deeds. She is survived by her children and their spouses Boramy Sun and Reaksmey Meas, Sophaly and Chharlora Kim, grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives and friends.