Mom Chhin of Lowell, MA

Mom Chhin, 79, passed away on Sunday, April 24, 2022.  She was born April 5, 1943 in Takéo Province, Cambodia.  Mom had two sisters and she was the eldest.  All of her younger siblings have already passed.

Mom was the oldest of her siblings, she not only had to help out her family physically but financially.  She was the financial foundation of her family.  She was her dad’s favorite because although young, she was very smart and knew how to save every little bit of money that she had. She not only worked very hard just to provide financially but she was the pillar of the family, a role model and mother figure for her siblings.

Mom was very generous and kind.  One of the many examples: During the Khmer Rouge, Mom, alongside with her husband, helped many families escaped the war and financially helped many families in need.  The Khmer Rouge regime created brutal labors, assigning groups depending on age and gender.  Mom was fortunate to be assigned as a Cook.  She was in the area where there was an abundance of food.  She secretly sneaked in food for other families.  It was an automatic death sentence if caught.  Mom knew the risks but she was strong willed no matter the circumstances.

In summer of 1972, three years before the Khmer Rouge regime, Mom met her husband Savath and they got married.  By 1979, the civil war had ended but many hardships arose; Mom and her husband had to escape the war-torn country.  During 1982, they welcomed their daughter Sina. In 1984, they arrived in Thailand, Khao-I-Dang Camp and lived there for four years.  By 1988, Mom’s family of three were honored to be sponsored to the United States.  Mom on the other hand was not happy because she didn’t want to go as she had to leave behind her other family members.

Mom was the kind of person who didn’t like to be financially unstable in any future endeavors that she might face, therefore she saved and saved.  She was also strict in her ways, as most of us would refer it as old fashioned but her family sees her as a mother: hard working, giving and guiding.

Mom and her family arrived and lived in Greensboro, North Carolina until 1989. In September of 1989 they moved to Boston, MA and lived in Chelsea for many years.  In summer of 1993, Mom and her family studied the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses and became a strong believer of the Bible and what the future holds. Around 2014, Mom with her husband moved to Lowell to be close to their daughter and her family.

In her spare time, she loved to cook and sew.  Mom was very independent as she kept herself busy all the time.  She was strong willed because she didn’t care about the brutal outcome in helping others during the war.  She strove  very hard for a better life. 

Mom loved life, even with her health problems and physical ailments she had for almost 40 years, in addition to dialysis for about 10 years, she never ever gave up.  She loved her family dearly especially her grandchildren.  Mom is survived by her husband Savath Mao, daughter Sina Mao and family, and many grandchildren.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Visiting hours Saturday 8 to 10 A.M. at the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 106 MIDDLESEX ST., CHELMSFORD, followed by a procession at 10 A.M. to Westlawn II Cemetery, Lowell. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041. Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com