Bouadam Sengvilay

Bouadam Sengvilay was a devoted mother, grandmother, and a woman of extraordinary strength and grace. Born on February 2, 1951, in Laos, she was the second eldest of seven children. Though she never attended school, Bouadam taught herself to read and carried a lifelong determination to learn, work hard, and care for others.

As the eldest daughter, she assumed great responsibility early in life-helping raise her siblings, working in the rice fields, and supporting her family. She later married Deng Sengvilay, and together they raised four children. During a time of war and hardship, Bouadam showed remarkable courage, risking everything to escape Laos and reunite her family. In August 1981, they resettled in Gardner, Massachusetts, where they began a new life with the support of Bethany Baptist Church.

After the passing of her beloved husband in 1989, Bouadam became the foundation of her family. She worked tirelessly, instilled a strong work ethic in her children, and proudly purchased her first home in Fitchburg in 1997. She found joy in her faith, visiting the Wat Lao Dhammaran temple, shopping at flea markets, and spending time with her family.

In her later years, Bouadam lived with dementia, yet her humor, warmth, and love never faded. She remained a source of laughter and comfort and continued to express pride in her children and grandchildren. Her legacy of resilience, sacrifice, and unconditional love will live on through generations.

Bouadam is survived by her children, Susanna Stranahan and her husband Kevin, Souvanny Sengvilay and her husband Soli Siharaj, Phetsamone Sengvilay and his wife Daphone, Sengoudone Soy Sengvilay and her husband Khamvongsouk Tony Bandith, Kongseng Prashasouk, and Khamphet Thirakoune; and her grandchildren, Melissa Stranahan, Odi Siharaj, Soli Siharaj, Isabella Sengvilay, McKaylla Sengvilay, Annabella Sengvilay, Abby Vera Patana, Sengvilay Tony Bandith, Diana Prashasouk, Alex Prashasouk, Amy Prashasouk, Liza Thirakoune, Nina Thirakoune, and Steven Thirakoune. She was predeceased by her husband, Deng Sengvilay.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a funeral service for Bouadam at the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260, on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 10:00AM. Burial in Wildwood Cemetery, Gardner, MA will be at a later date. For memorial guestbook please visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.

Forever Remembered

"Keep walking. If you can't walk, hop.

If you can't hop, crawl.

Just keep moving forward and never give up."