Hem Tok

My mom leaves behind six children, sixteen grandchildren, and three siblings. Her legacy of love, resilience, and compassion lives on in each of us — a testament to the strength and grace she carried throughout her life.

Our Family’s Journey

Our parents met in Battambang, Phnom sampo, in 1973. Dad, a Khmer soldier, fell in love with Mom and later married.

However They endured the unimaginable years during the war.

They were survivors of the Khmer Rouge genocide in 1979. As many fled Cambodia, my parents and siblings — Bong Kley and Kelly — found refuge in Cow wi-Dang, a refugee camp in Thailand. Shortly after arriving, my older brother Hina was born in 1981.

After years of waiting, our family was selected for resettlement to United States in 1983 and was sponsored by a kind woman named Kathleen and her family. When they arrived in Vermont, they didn’t speak a word of English. Communication was difficult, the jobs were hard, but they gave their best every single day. After nearly three years, they had learned enough English to get by.

A huge thank you to Kathleen, our sponsor, who helped bring our family to safety. A fun fact — my father named me after her however he spelt it wrong lol

In Vermont, my dad became a carpenter, and my mom stayed home to raise Bong Kley, Kelly, and Hina. She was pregnant at the time and later gave birth to my older brother, Michael.

My parents were incredibly hardworking and committed to building a better life for us. After three years in Vermont, they reunited with extended family in California. Everyone squeezed into a small apartment, trying to make it work while building their independence — and eventually, they each moved out on their own.

Tragically, our dad passed away in 2000. Despite this devastating loss, Mom remained resilient and strong, raising six children on her own with courage and love.

A Mother's Love, Shared Through Food

Her love language was food. Through every meal she prepared, she poured out her heart and soul. Whether cooking for her children or others, she always gave with love.

A fond memory I’ll never forget: when I was seven years old, I remember sitting on the kitchen floor, pounding lemongrass and galangal, and turmeric using a mortar and pestle, helping her make Kreung — the famous Khmer paste used in stir-fries and sour soups. It became one of my favorite Cambodian dishes. From those early years, I learned how to prepare many Khmer recipes by her side. Her secret dishes and techniques will always live in my heart.

Her Faith and Travels

On November 4, 2018, my mom was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Her faith became the cornerstone of her life. She regularly attended services at the Kingdom Hall, where she built lasting friendships with many wonderful people. One special friend I want to recognize is Oum Pan. I remember how they shared food, laughter, Zoom meetings, shoppings, and planned trips together — to Washington, D.C., New York, and New Jersey, including visits to the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Mom attended the Cambodian conventions in New Jersey twice — once in 2018 and again in 2019 — and stayed with friends in Philadelphia during her travels.

She loved to travel. My brother Hina had the joy of taking her on many memorable trips, including visits to Hawaii and Mexico. I was blessed to travel with her to Cambodia twice. Watching her reunite with her siblings was both beautiful and deeply emotional. It was during those visits that I discovered she had been quietly supporting them for many years. Her generosity and humility taught me to appreciate the little things in life.

Mom found joy in simple pleasures—she loved shopping, gardening, and cooking. She also cherished video chatting with her children, niece, nephew, and family in Cambodia. She stayed closely connected with her roots. My mom was news reporter, she always kept us informed about what was happening back home.

Mom, your legacy of strength, kindness, and unwavering love will forever live in us. Thank you for everything. We love you and you will forever be in our hearts. This is not a good bye but see you later.

A viewing will be held at Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel on Saturday, August 23rd starting

at 11:00 am. A funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm in the chapel with a Celebration of

Life Reception to follow at the funeral home until 7:00 pm.

Monday, August 25, 2025, viewing will be made available at 12:00 PM until 2:30 pm at the funeral home and graveside prayers will take place at 3:00 pm at Oak Hill Memorial Park 300 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125 at the Sky view Mausoleum.