Sy Wattana Sengmany of Willows died on Monday, December 2, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with an unforeseen illness. One of five children, she was born on April 3, 1952, in Kwang Ubon, Thailand, to her mother, Khambung Sengmany, and her father, Ya Pa Sahnith.
In 1976, she met a young soldier who was serving his time in the military stationed near her home. She went on to marry Somseng and started their family, raising four children together.
A few years later, the aftereffects of the Vietnam War resulted in the family’s migration to the United States. After fleeing their home with their young children, in 1981 they landed in Atwater, Calif., where they found refuge and a chance to rebuild.
They relocated and lived in Stockton for nine years before settling in Willows, where she resided up until her death.
Sy was a full-time mother and reveled in her time raising her children. She carried on giving her abundance of love when she found herself with the new title of Grandma, surrounded by her beloved grandchildren.
As the matriarch of the family, she was affectionately called “Mae” by all around her, which translates to “mother” in her native tongue, Lao.
Everyone, both young and old, felt the maternal care and love she expressed to all those around her. She was the glue that kept familial bonds strong and the family together.
When she wasn’t busy looking after a youngster or cooking her delicious traditional Laotian dishes, you would find her tending to her garden. She made sure to keep it full of her favorite, fresh ingredients, where you could find Thai peppers, Thai eggplant, Kafir lime leaves, lemongrass, and mustard greens.
She also enjoyed taking a daily walk at the park, followed by a bike ride to the home of her best friend, Mae Mone. It was something Sy looked forward to every day.
Being the social butterfly that she was, she also enjoyed her time at the casinos, sharing an evening out with her husband and friends.
Not only was she loving and caring, but she was also a talented woman. A fantastic seamstress, she would find herself sewing clothes, traditional Laotian dresses, helping out friends and family with hemming, and fixing their favorite articles of clothing – saving the day and coming to the rescue.
She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting blankets, hats, scarves, and tissue box covers, which she would donate and give away as gifts.
Another favorite hobby was thrifting. She frequented the local shop in town regularly, where she would run into other “regulars” and enjoy their company while she browsed.
Her faith played an important role in her life, starting at a very early age. As the daughter of a revered monk in her home village, she continued living her life practicing her religion faithfully by devoting herself to being a part of the local temples in the area as well as attending and participating often in religious ceremonies, holidays, and celebrations.
Sy also made herself available to anyone who needed her during hard times. She would open up her home if you needed a place to stay, with open arms. She never turned anyone away.
If a friend or family member found themselves sick, she would be by their side, day in and day out, cooking, cleaning, and providing support for them and their family. Giving of herself was her greatest pastime.
For all those who loved her and knew her well, it goes without saying how selfless, loving, and caring she was. She showed it well and showed it often.
She was a woman of action and dedication. Her actions were always genuine and heartfelt and if you were on the receiving end of her sing-song laughter, her warm affection, or her gentle words of kindness, you felt it without question.
A strong pillar of strength and a tangible example of everything good in the world, she leaves a tremendous void in the family she leaves behind. Her loved ones agree, she and the light that she brought with her presence are already deeply missed.
She is survived by an older sister, Nopparath Sengmany, and a younger brother, Chamnong Sengmany, both of whom reside in Argentina; her husband, also named Somseng; children Vatsana Sengmany, Rakxat Sengmany, Sitxay Sengmany and his wife, Khamone Boualinthong, and Sonny Sengmany and his wife Cathy Thidsouvanh; and grandchildren Nicolaus Saeteurn, Sadasia Sengmany, Kitana Sengmany, Kadrianna Sengmany, Jordan Sengmany, Elijah Salas-Sengmany, Penelope Salas-Sengmany, Brandon Sengmany, and Ramiyah Sengmany.
She was preceded in death by both of her parents; older brother, Somseng Sengmany; and younger brother, Banchong Sengmany.
The Glenn County Observer 