Chen Sou Geg Khui

With deep sorrow and reverence, the La family announces the passing of Chen Sou Geg Khui, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, at her home in San Jose, California, on October 18, 2025, at 4:30am, aged 94 (96 by the lunar calendar).

Born on April 6, 1931 (she observed her birthday on October 7), in Sambuor village, Kandal Province, Cambodia, Ms. Khui was of Teochew heritage and lived her life guided by Confucian and Buddhist virtues—harmony, compassion, and kindness. Through tireless devotion to family, she exemplified respect for elders, harmony in the home, and generosity toward others. The hardships under the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s honed her quiet determination and unwavering will to live.

After enduring eight months of hard labor and constant hunger in a forced-labor camp in Cambodia—with five young children and her elderly mother in tow—she fled to Saigon, Vietnam, where she serendipitously reunited with her husband and their two older children. There, the family eked out a living as street vendors, selling fried bananas, ice cream, “Chinese mochi,” and other foods. A little over four years later, she was forced to flee back to Cambodia under cover of night to protect her eldest son from capture by Communist authorities. She returned alone to smuggle four children (ages 8–21) out, leaving her youngest son and husband to guard their home in Saigon.

With one gold ring and a little cash, she resolved to take her children to America—even though she was illiterate, had no idea where or how far America was, and had never seen a map. She had only heard there were refugee camps near the Cambodia–Thailand border that might help. Carrying a bag of rice, dried fish, and a cooking pot on her back, she led them on foot through lawless jungle, following a caravan of merchants. After eight days—dodging bullets from armed robbers, outwitting corrupt and marauding soldiers, and swapping identities—they reached a border town. With some shrewd maneuvering, the help of the American consulate, and collective grit, they eluded Cambodian authorities and were transported to a refugee camp in Thailand, where they lived for nearly two years.

Ms. Khui and the kids immigrated to the United States on March 23,1981; her husband and youngest son joined her five months later. She built a boisterous yet harmonious home in the Bay Area, where hot, multi-dish meals appeared whenever her children were hungry, and her constant presence became their bedrock of comfort. She was known for her gentle nature; for decades of support for Buddhist temples locally and in her birth village—where she funded the repairs of schools and bridges, provided food and clothing, and helped build about a dozen wells that spared villagers countless trips to the river for water—and for her passion for travel. Her one true vice was a love of card games.

She is survived by her children—Hun La, Meng La, Tai La, Linda La, and Sui La; her godson, John Quach; 14 grandchildren and 3 step-grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren and 6 step-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Loi Gim Hua La; her children, Tin La, Tony La, and Cia La; her stepson, Suang La; and a granddaughter.

May her spirit be guided by the light of Amitabha Buddha and attain eternal peace in the Pure Land. Namo Amituofo