Obituary

Loan “Kim” Hong Lam
From Saigon, Vietnam to San Juan Capistrano, California
July 16, 1945 – January 25, 2025

The Beginning
Loan “Kim” Hong Lam, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt passed away at the age of 79 due to complications of influenza. Loan is survived by her husband of 56 years, Đức “Duke” Lam, daughters Lan Lam and Lien Lam, son Daniel Lam, and five beautiful grandchildren, Dylan Lam, Lauren Lam, Elle Felicetti, Brandon Felicetti, and Alex Lam. Family, friends, neighbors, and the San Juan Capistrano community where Loan called home for nearly forty years will forever cherish her memories.

Loan was born July 16, 1945, in Saigon, Vietnam and was the third eldest in what would become a vibrant and loving family of seven siblings. Loan’s nurturing character began early as she helped care for her younger siblings. Loan was driven and full of energy, energy that endured until her last moments in life. It was this energy that caught the attention of Đức. Đức was a cadet in the South Vietnamese army who already formed acquaintances with Loan’s large family. It was one of Loan’s sisters who connected the two. Đức and Loan began dating in 1964 and eventually married on December 22, 1968. By then, Vietnam was fully engulfed in war. Loan was working for the U.S. Embassy while Đức served as Captain in the army. Little did either know that life for both was about to change in unimaginable ways.

The Fall of Saigon: New Beginnings
Loan and her family, through their network of government and military connections, learned that the war in Vietnam was coming to an end and with it, the loss of a country she and millions called home. On April 23, 1975, Loan, her daughter Lan, parents, and siblings were fortunate to escape via military aircraft. Unfortunately, Đức, because of military duties, was unable to escape with the rest of the family. He would also later become a prisoner of war and lose all contact with Loan and the family. With only the clothes on their backs, Loan and her family eventually landed in Camp Pendleton in the United States. Loan and her family’s strong catholic faith helped connect them with St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Parish, who sponsored the entire family and were instrumental in supporting their transition. Here is where Loan would begin her incredible journey at restarting a new life.

Loan was now a refugee in a new country, without her spouse, pregnant, and with a three-year-old in tow. Loan had the love and support of her parents and siblings, all of whom lived under one roof in a small house in San Juan Capistrano. Despite the challenges, no obstacle withstood her determination to care and provide for her family. Loan became her family’s superhero. She knew no limit to self-sacrifice; always being first to cook and last to eat. She dedicated her life to ensure her family always had what they needed. Life would march on for the next six years, during which time Loan would overcome adversity, explore, and flourish.

The Reunion
The year 1981 would mark a miraculous reunion for Loan and Đức. Đức, after suffering through adversity, made his own harrowing escape from Vietnam. Đức’s amazing story of survival and reunion will one day be told. In short, bravery, willpower, love, and the help of countless individuals brought Đức and Loan back together. The Lam family was together at last and almost complete. A few years later, life would bring more blessings as Loan welcomed her third child, Daniel.

Loan could cement her heroic legacy with everything she did up until this point. Fortunately for her family, friends, and the world, she never stopped achieving greatness. In her professional life, she climbed the ranks of corporate America, working for some of the most notable Fortune 500 companies such as Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Her more than twenty-five-year career as an executive administrative assistant helped raise three children and put them through higher education. Loan’s children are forever grateful for the love and strength she imparted to them; their success would not be possible without her leadership and sacrifice.

The Legacy
Loan shined brightest in her personal life. Loan was a pillar of her church community, first with the Vietnamese Catholic community at St. Nicholas in Laguna Woods and later at St. Edward the Confessor in Dana Point. Loan’s philosophy in life was to be charitable. “Always give out if you can,” she said. She led by example, frequently donating financial support to charities and other non-profit groups. In retirement, she donated her time to the church, where she could be found six to seven days a week serving as a Eucharistic minister or leading a prayer group.

It has not yet been mentioned that Loan stands at only four feet, six inches tall (137 cm), but there is absolutely nothing small about her. She often wore platform shoes and had a commanding personality to top things off. Anyone who ever needed Loan’s support can attest to how big her presence feels. Loan had an energy that was equally as big. Neighbors will recall seeing Loan running to the beach and back, a three-mile route—well into her late sixties! Even in her last few months of life, Loan could be seen attending Zumba classes at her local 24-Hour Fitness gym.

Friends and family will remember her brightness, both literally and in spirit. Loan loved bright colors and could be frequently seen wearing vibrant reds, pinks, and yellows from head to toe. She had a soul to match. Those in her life felt her brightness through her voice and laughter, especially through made up words she would often say to babies. Perhaps nothing exemplifies Loan’s brightness more than her concern for everyone’s bellies. Anyone who came to her house would be fed. If she wasn’t putting food directly in your mouth, she was making sure your plate was never empty. If you helped her, however big or small, be prepared to receive a tray of homemade egg rolls or a stock pot of phở (Vietnamese noodle soup).

The Memories
Loan loved life and was known for having many “favorites.” She will live on through her family. Her loved ones will cherish their memories together with her and smile every time they come across one of her many “favorites.” Here are just a few of Loan’s favorite things:
• Loan was happiest when all her children visited, and the house was full of grandchildren
• Spending time in Little Saigon in Westminster, CA with her sisters
• Bò 7 Món (7 courses of beef), Kentucky Fried Chicken, taro milk tea
• Discovering new restaurants, picking fruits from trees, tending her garden of roses
• Perfume (Angel was her absolute favorite)
• Celebrating all the festivities surrounding the Lunar New Year (Tết)

Please join our family in remembering Loan. We kindly invite you to the services below:

Memorial and Vigil
O’Connor Mortuary
5301 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
When: February 10, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Funeral Ceremony and Interment
St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church
33926 Calle La Primavera, Dana Point, CA 92629
When: February 11, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Ascension Cemetery
24754 Trabuco Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630
When: February 11, 2025
Time: Following funeral ceremony (approximately 12:30 PM

To say that Loan “Kim” Hong Lam will be missed is an understatement. She has touched so many lives and made lasting memories with all those who knew her. Now the world is at a loss without her. Our hearts are broken. Mẹ ơi, chúng con thương mẹ. Chúng con sẽ mãi nhớ mẹ. Cảm ơn mẹ.