Cheng Senethavilay, a beloved grandmother, cherished great grandmother, and beautiful mom of 5, passed away at home surrounded by her daughter and son's love, on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at the age of 69, after falling ill.

Cheng was born on March 10 of 1952 in Vientiane Laos, to Bounma and Titpheng Vongratsamy. She spent her younger years in Laos as a nurse in the military, providing for those who needed healing and care. After meeting her late husband Sommay and falling in love, they started their family in 1972, after giving birth to their oldest, Bounyu. They brought their family to the United States in 1980, with much support from a local church in Boise, ID and the established Laos community. Cheng's children remember and describe her as helpful, fearless, loving, kind, resilient, and humble— the best person to have around you at any given time.

Cheng was nothing if not extraordinary. The way she loved others can only be described as the purest and most perfect example of true and unconditional love. No matter who she encountered, she had nothing but kindness and hospitality to offer. She was a safe place of comfort mixed with humor and tenderness. Her sense of humor was passed on to her children and theirs, crass and dry but in a manner that always made you smile and laugh. Her touch was soft and reminded you of home, never failing to relieve you of any distress or pain you may have been feeling in that moment. Cheng was a savior in many ways to many people, there for anyone who needed or wanted it. It was a trait that was noticed by all and should be exemplified to any.

Cheng loved to garden; you could find her in hers almost 90% of the time. Her garden is just another example of the beauty and care she gave to this world, full of life and color, love and extravagance. Cheng displayed her love in so many other ways, one of the most memorable being through her cooking. She cooked with care and intention, always ready to make sure you were well-fed and satisfied. She rarely ate before you, ensuring that you had everything you needed before herself.

Cheng was a devout Buddhist. Members of the temple she attended say she was always there to be of help to the community. She would show up everyday smiling, with an open heart and open arms to converse with anyone who needed an ear or someone to talk with. She crafted many of the decorations there by hand, another prime example of the beauty and care she put into anything she did.

Cheng is survived by her son Bounyu Saengdavanh; daughter Saneva and son-in-law Dustin VanZandt; her daughter and son-in-law Daosavanh Senethavilay and Mitchell Del Rosario; her daughter Sayfon Joy Senethavilay; and her son, David Tony Senethavilay; her mother Bounma Vongratsamy and her siblings Heng Vongratsamy, Pone Sivilay, and 13 others residing in Laos. Furthermore, she forever lives on through the lives of her grandchildren Anna Caskey and her husband Nathanael Caskey, Abby Panyathong, Andrew Panyathong, Emilee Vanzandt, Averie Del Rosario, Natilee VanZandt, Ami Del Rosario, and Gabriel VanZandt; and her great-grandchildren Arella Caskey, Isabel Caskey, Esther Caskey, and Vitalya Caskey.

She is predeceased by her late husband, Sommay Senethavilay, and her brother, Teng Vongratsamy.

Cheng will be missed, by her loved ones and friends, more than can be put into these words. She lives on through every single person she left behind, a true legend and legacy.

Visitation with the family will be Friday, October 1 ^st , 2021 from 12:00-2:00 PM. Funeral service will begin at 2:00 PM.