Pha Heng

Pha Heng, 72, of Rochester, MN passed away peacefully on Monday, August 25, surrounded by family at St. Mary's Hospital. Pha (Lim Eoern), was born January 16, 1953, in Chung Kohthmey village, Koh Thom district, Kandal province, Cambodia where she was raised as a farmer. In 1979, she escaped the killing fields of the Khmer Rouge, persevering through the mountains and jungle until she made it to the border of Thailand, eventually settling in the Kaolarn refugee camp where she met and married her husband, Cham En and worked as a seamstress. In 1990, sponsored by a local church and Bob and Mary Jones, Pha, Cham, and their two eldest sons resettled in Rochester, MN, where she found employment in hospitality, working for 20 years at The Kahler Hotel, retiring in 2015. Pha was an avid gardener and cook, often showing her love by sharing produce and homecooked food with neighbors, family, and friends. She was deeply loved in her community, offering compassion and care to anyone in need, even when having little herself. She spent much of her time with the Buddhist Support Society at the Watt Dhamma Visudhikaram in Rochester. Above all, Pha found the greatest joy in her family. Taking pride in her four sons-Kanya, Sithea, Roger, and Nick-and her adored grandchildren. Often guiding them by the hand so she could sing their praises to anyone nearby. Her love was not expressed in grand gestures but in quiet ways that showed up every day-through daily warm lunches, early morning phone calls to make sure you were up for work, routine check-ins that were a reminder of her steadfast care. There wasn't a favorite pair of jeans or doll clothes that couldn't be mended. Pha is survived by her husband, Cham; her sons Kanya (Mandy) En of Byron, MN, Sithea (Lindsey) En of Stewartville, MN, Roger En of Rochester, MN, and Nick En of Rochester, MN. Seven grandchildren, Kayla (Cole Hayden) En, Kameron (Kiley Buer) En, Maddy En, Kaiden En, Kaia En, Jayson En, and Kaleb En. One great grandchild, Haisley Hayden. Brothers Lim Eal, Lim Dok and Lim Poeng, and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Suy and Lim Em, brother Lim Eng, sister Lim Eap, and grandson Kamden En. The family extends their sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at St. Mary's Hospital for their compassionate care. A celebration of Pha's life will be held Sunday, August 31, at 2:00 p.m. at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12th Street SE, Rochester. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service. A traditional Buddhist service will be held Monday morning, September 1, at Watt Dhamma Visudhikaram, 4462 29th St SE, Rochester. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Pha may be directed to the family.