Say Sylavong

CHAMPAIGN – Say Sylavong of Champaign, Illinois passed away at 10:11pm on Friday, November 12, 2021 at the age of 101.

Say (pronounced “sigh”) was born on December 8, 1919 in Pakse, Laos. She married Pong Sylavong; he preceded her in death. She and her family were sponsored to the United States in 1980 by Lou and Mary Henson. She was a homemaker her entire life and enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking, walking and watching movies.

She was preceded in death by three of her children--her son Bounthane (Hoa) Sylavong; her son Bounthanh (Thongbay) Sylavong; and her daughter Touy Sengsouvanh.

Say is survived by her daughter, Chansy (Lee) Savathphoune of Champaign with whom she lived from 2019-2021 and her son, Bounthanh (Chanh) Syravong of Albany, Oregon. She was lovingly cared for by several granddaughters over the years: Thongsay Khathakhanthaphixay with whom she lived from 2010-2018; Cathy McArthur with whom she lived from 2001-2009; Somphon “Sam” (Roy) Penland; great-granddaughters Metta Khathakhanthaphixay; Alexsia Acosta; Jasmine Davis Khathakhanthaphixay; and Samara McArthur, as well as her great-grandson Jerry Phomrikith Khathakhanthaphixay, all of whom helped provide a rigorous schedule of daily care for her over the past several years.

She is also survived by her other grandchildren: Charlene Syravong (Jonathanh Dang); Chanhsavat Sylavong; Manivanh Syravong (Tom Watson); Kaysone Syravong; Vilath (Paulette) Sylavong; Somphone (Bill) Beasley; Michael (Lisa) Syravong; Khamla Savathphoune; Chansouk Savathphoune; Khamsay (Amit) Nainani; and Linn (Melissa) Syravong.

Additional great-grandchildren: Vincent Dang; Nathan Dang; Jason Allenby; Tom Thidsady Khathakhanthaphixay; Samuel McArthur; Reiley Syravong; Evan Syravong; James Watson; Samson McArthur; Will Beasley; Milo Syravong, Kian Syravong, Cassandra Penland; Sydney Beasley; Avea Syravong, Shaan Nainani; Madison Nainani; Max Savathphoune; and Isaiah Penland.

Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00pm on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, followed by a celebration of life and cremation ceremony from 2:00-3:30pm with Buddhist monks from the Wat Lao Buddha Samaggi of Elgin officiating. A livestream of the service will be available on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/HIl0LDIJ6os.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana, IL 61802 or at https://gofund.me/cae93277. Donations in excess of funeral expenses will be donated to the East Central Illinois Refugee Mutual Assistance Center (ECIRMAC). Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com

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