Saipon Laoochan (Laorchan)

Saipon Laorchan passed away on December 9, 2023 at the age of 70 after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

On Saturday, January 13, 2024, a Buddhist monk will perform a ceremony at 4:00 at the Advantage Funeral & Cremation chapel, 1900 Vanstory Street, Greensboro. This is open to the public. The ceremony will be followed by a visitation until 8:00 p.m. There will be a Celebration of Life at 3:00 on Sunday, January 14, at 4511 Groometown Road, Greensboro, NC.

Saipon, known to close friends and family as Thum, was born on September 5, 1953 to Krit and Sujitra Laorchan in Korat, Thailand. She was the fifth of nine children; however, her family also extended to many honorary members who took her in as their own. In 1997, she moved to North Carolina to be with her daughter and grandchildren. There she met her husband, Ben Groome, and spent 24 happy years with him in Groometown. Saipon was welcomed and loved by the Groome family. She felt blessed to have such loving families on two continents.

Saipon was a skilled seamstress and writer who gifted all of her helpers with the poems that she composed. Her charm and rhythmic storytelling made simple conversations poetic. She loved music and dancing and taking trips to the beach with Ben. All of her friends and family enjoyed her incredible cooking and her warm heart. Her family was her greatest treasure.

Saipon was predeceased by her parents, Krit and Sujitra Laorchan. She is survived by her husband, Ben; her children and their spouses Nok and Dale, Katai and Jang, Mu and PukPui; Jacob and Ricki ; her grandchildren Alisa and Randall, Nick, Indy, Orchan, and Milan, Bow, Isabel, Madison, Simon, Guius, and Marguex ; her siblings and their spouses Pon and Louis, Thing and Kun Daa, Thoy and Tony, Noy, Nitnoi and Yuen, Nang, Nit, Nok and Dale; her honorary brothers and sisters Steve and Cathie Groome, Bill and Kaye Groome, Anchalee Reitz & Family, the Poothrong Family, Somphit (Oor. Nang) Chanpaka & the Chanpaka Family, Soodta Jumpanoi & Family, Sudaporn (Na. Phoung) Kitchawanich; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, friends, and her cat. Saipon was appreciative of her angels - the doctors, nurses, and caregivers who fought cancer alongside her.