Phouvong Soneoulay

Phouvong Soneoulay was born in Bahn Thahn Tung, Muang Nong Boke, Kwang Khammoune, Laos on April 5, 1955. Her father was Paw Yiy Bounma Chaleunsouk and her mother was Mae Yiy Khamma Chaleunsouk who are both deceased. She married the love of her life, Soulideth Soneoulay on August 10, 1973 and had a total of six children. After 34 years of marriage, he too passed away on January 15, 2006.

Phouvong did not have the opportunity to attend school. During the Secret War in Laos, she fled to nearby Thailand to seek safety and protection in Soon Ubon Refugee Camp. After several years in the refugee camp, she resettled to New York City in 1979, eight months pregnant, along with her husband and daughter. Shortly after, they moved to Salt Lake City, UT to be close to family and friends who came from Soon Ubon Refugee Camp. With a determination to find better employment, they later moved to Twin Falls, ID, then Fresno, CA, then Kodiak, AK, and then ultimately, Anchorage, AK.

Phouvong loved to talk and socialize…with everyone she met. Even with her limited English, she spoke English proudly, like it was her first language. She even threw in a few Spanish words from time to time. She had a zest for life no matter where she went, who she met, and what challenges she was facing.

Though she loved being in community, Phouvong’s absolute favorite role was that as a grandparent. She treasured her time with their grandkids and was proud to be their Mae Tow. There’s a saying in Lao she would say, “Paw gahp mae nee huck lahn ly gwah luke.”

Phouvong was relentless in teaching and modeling love for family, faith & community. When it came to geene tahn/tahn boun, she gave without limits. It wasn’t just through money but through her time and deep devotion to Buddha.

In 2017, shortly after her trip back from Laos, her children noticed a subtle change in her speech and behavior. After a neurological evaluation, Phouvong was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia - a type of dementia. Insidiously, her great pleasure of talking with people was taken from her. But the disease could not take her gentleness, her caring nature, and inner strength.

After seven years of her journey and being deeply cared for with such dignity and respect by her children, Phouvong passed away peacefully on January 15, 2024, in her home, surrounded by the unconditional love and warmth of her children.

Phouvong was preceded in death by her husband, Soulideth Soneoulay. Her parents Paw Yiy Bounma Chaleunsouk, Mae Yiy Khamma Chaleunsouk, and her siblings, Looeng Chaleunsouk, Hawmohn Chaleunsouk, Gahlatawn Chaleunsouk, and Dao Chaleunsouk.

Phouvong is survived by her daughters, Toc Soneoulay-Gillespie, Alice Soneoulay, Sousy Soneoulay Tolentino; her son’s David Soneoulay, Lamson Soneoulay, Sinxay Soneoulay; her sister, Khampoeng Sengdao and her grandchildren Johni Moth, Sanaa Gillespie, Bohstin Soneoulay, Naiyah Tolentino, Myles Gillespie, Cassidy Soneoulay, Traeson Tolentino, Julius Soneoulay, and Kali Soneoulay.

Phouvong’s memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her. May she rest...in forever peace.

Phouvong’s Memorial Service is on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 11:30 am at Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary & Sunset Hills Memorial Park.