Loanie T. Lam of Los Altos Hills passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025. Born in Ca Mau, Vietnam on October 1, 1957, she was the third of Tran Van Pho and Ly Thi Tich's nine children. She married Hung C. Lam and they had three children. In her 67 years, she embraced each stage of her life bravely and joyfully.

Immediately after giving birth to her eldest, Loanie and her new family fled Vietnam. After a stint in a refugee camp, they immigrated to the United States where they dove whole-heartedly into building a new life. They tended to their growing family while learning a new language and new skills. As they juggled multiple jobs, a burgeoning real estate business, and the day-to-day of raising kids, she made sure that her children held on to their Vietnamese heritage while navigating American culture. She could always squeeze out extra time for her children and grandchildren and a smile, hug, or giggle was all she asked.

Loanie taught by example. No job was beneath her and no goals were unachievable. She instilled in her children the confidence, determination, and gratitude that carries them through their lives. As a businesswoman she trusted her instincts and made decisions swiftly. She astutely built a secure life for her family and a basis for the philanthropy that defined the rest of her life.

She believed in caring for herself emotionally and physically, because it enabled her to care for her family and community. She explored karate, tai chi, and meditation but embraced yoga. Practicing yoga kept her grounded. Teaching yoga satisfied her desire to help and connected her to even more people. It created a sense of self that helped her be open to new experiences, to be fearless. In her final years, it helped her manage physical and emotional challenges.

Through her life, her Buddhist faith remained constant. She worked tirelessly to actualize her dream of building a Buddhist temple. Chua Di Lac is more than a house of worship. It is a place where folks can gather to help and to be helped. Her philanthropy was not limited to her local community. She gave generously to groups across the world, funding schools and hospitals, and providing food and shelter to marginalized communities. Loanie liked to say, "If you give generously, the world will take care of you."

She is survived by her husband Hung, her three children Lan, Lisa (Sean) Paterson, Brian, her three grandchildren, her parents, six siblings, their spouses and children. Following a private family service, a memorial service will be held at Chua Di Lac on Sunday April 6, 2025 from 1 PM to 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Chua Di Lac or Refugees International.

Chua Di Lac: https://chuadilac.com

Refugees International: https://www.refugeesinternational.org