Khamphiou Phomsouvanh

Khamphiou Phomsouvanh, 81, of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away on March 5, 2024, at her home. She was born in Vientiane, Laos, and had lived in Cincinnati since 1980. Khamphiou is survived by her sister, Amnoui Thongprachanh (Khamphou); four children, Hatsady Sundara (Bouariphanh), Manysavanh Chayavon, John Chanprasith Phomsouvanh, and Thipmontha Hunt (Andrew); six grandchildren, Caroline Dejos (Josef), Karen Sundara, Eric Sundara, Chasity Stroupe (Jeremy), Liliana Hunt, and Violet Hunt; and two great grandchildren, Noah Troche and Knox Troche. She was preceded in death by her parents, Douangtha Phomsouvanh and Nolan Phomsouvanh, her brothers, Khamphoui Phomsouvanh and Leokham Noravong, and her husband, Bouasy Phomsouvanh. Khamphiou and Bouasy fled the communist regime in Laos in November 1979. Bouasy organized an escape by hiring three people to escort their family across the Mekong River to Thailand. They could only take the clothes they wore and some money, leaving all the rest of their belongings and their home behind. Since the Laotian border was patrolled by the Pathet Lao, they decided it would be safer if their group crossed the river at night. Bouasy swam in the water alongside the boat, helping to guide it across the ¾ mile-wide river, while Khamphiou sat in the boat with her children, Dy who was 14, Ny 11, Bao 8, and Thip just barely 3. Khamphiou and her family then spent eleven months in a refugee camp in Thailand before making the journey to Ohio in October 1980. They were sponsored by Sandy and Ed Stanley and the First Baptist Church of Greenhills, Ohio. Khamphiou worked as a Dietary Aid at the Alois Alzheimer Center until she retired in 2007. She loved growing herbs in a garden bed at the side of her house, tending her tulips in the front yard, and watching Lao/Thai movies. She listened without judgment, loved unconditionally, persevered through challenges in life, and taught us to value friends and family over material possessions. She was loved by her family and friends and will be deeply missed. A visitation is scheduled for Sunday, March 10th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at THE WEBSTER FUNERAL HOME 3080 Homeward Way at Rt. 4, Fairfield, Ohio. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 PM, immediately following the visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to The Jai Lao Foundation (https://www.jailao.org) or The Lao Heritage Foundation (https://lhfus.org) in Khamphiou’s memory.