Lai Ha Kong Yuen 阮江麗霞

February 16, 1927 - December 30, 2024 (97 years 10 months)

Lai Ha passed away peacefully on December 30, 2024.

Born in Kwangtung, China, Lai Ha married in 1945 at the age of 18. After the birth of her first daughter, her family and her mother moved to Hong Kong in the early 1950's.

Lai Ha was a devout baptist and was officially baptized on July 28, 1957 at the age of 31 at the First Assembly of God Church in Kowloon, Hong Kong,

While waiting for immigration to the USA, Lai Ha had 4 more daughters and a son. In 1967, her family moved to Palatine, Illinois.

Once in Palatine, Lai Ha worked side by side with her only sister in her sister's restaurant (Palatine Chop Suey, later known as Heng Wing Restaurant). She was devastated in 1986 when her sister passed away too soon. Lai Ha continued to work hard in the restaurant, often 6 days a week. In what little free time she had, she enjoyed gardening, giving away winter melons to everyone. In 1992, she retired after working in the restaurant for 25 years.

In 1993, Lai Ha and her husband retired to sunny San Jose, California to be with their three younger children and their families. She continued with her gardening, crafting and delicious Saturday dinners. They both had enough time to binge watch every Cantonese VHS show ever recorded.

Life was good until their early 80s. Living in a large house by themselves was overwhelming. In 2008, they moved to an Asian senior assisted living community. Lai Ha never stopped creating crafts and giving them away. She brought joy to many people with her unique talents.

After 25 years in California, in 2018 they wanted to return to Palatine, Illinois. They lived in an apartment near two of their children. The three elder children helped them the best they could. In less than a year, her husband passed away at the age of 93.

At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Lai Ha's daughter May and her family welcomed her into their home. She wasn't able to walk but continued her crafting and enjoyed watching TV. For her final five years, Lai Ha received twenty-four hour loving care from May and her family.

Lai Ha is preceded in death by her husband, Don (2019). She is survived by her beloved children, Kathy (Dale), May (Harri 2022), Alice, Anna (Rob), Lily (Ric) and Guy (Jenny). Grandma to Arwen (Jim), Eugene, Kevin, Emily, Eric, Eileen, Ty and Traci. Great grandma to Amelia. Auntie to John (Joanne), Mary (Bruce), Stanley and David (Judy).

A visitation for Lai Ha will be held Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Mount Auburn Funeral Home, 4101 South Oak Park Ave, Stickney, IL 60402. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM. A graveside service will follow at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 4101 S Oak Park Ave, Stickney, IL 60402.