Mary Am So

Mrs. Mary (Am Bophal) So was born on December 8, 1951 . The second of seven children to Mr. Am Lon, a school teacher in Siem Reap Province, and Mrs. Am Salat. Of her two brothers and four sisters, her older brother and two of her sisters still live in Cambodia. Before the Killing Fields era, Mrs. Mary So was studying for her second year of pharmacy school. Then the Khmer Rouge sent her, along with all of the Cambodian people, to live in the rural areas. After the Vietnamese invaded Cambodia, Mary escaped to Thailand only to be deported back to Cambodia through the landmines. Determined to not go back, she hid in Thailand with the help of a tribal family that kept her and her friends safe. That family then connected her to the United Nations Refugee Commissioner, which gave her the opportunity to live in a refugee camp in Surin Province, Thailand.

In August 1979, Mary was fortunate to arrive to the United States where she lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee for a short period of time. Her uncle, Mr. Sean Pheap, was then able to purchase a plane ticket for her to come live with him in St. Helen, Washington, where she was able to resume school.

A year later, Mary happily married Mr. Robert (Mao) So and settled in Houston, Texas on July 5, 1980. She worked for the City of Houston’s Aviation Department as a Special Service Representative in Immigration and Customs to assist in translating Spanish, French and Cambodian. After working 33 years, she proudly retired in April 2013.

In September 2017, she was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. After her strong will and tough battle against the cancer, she passed peacefully with her family by her side on October 30, 2018.

Mrs. Mary So is survived by her husband, Robert (Mao) So, her son Victor So, her daughter-in-law Muy Chang, and grandson Timothy So.

The family would like to thank all of our friends and family who have come to share in our sorrow at this time, remembering the good and happy moments, the delicious homemade foods, the joys and laughter Mary has given to all of us, and to wish our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother to rest in peace in Heaven.