Somsy Keomanyvong Thongdee, 68, of High Point, passed away Monday, January 11, 2021, at Wesley Long Hospital.

Somsy Keomanyvong Thongdee was born on August 4, 1952 to the late Thidsai & See Keomanyvong in Paklay, Xaignabouli, Laos. She grew up in Laos with her 4 sisters and a brother in Paklay village before leaving home.  At an early age Somsy and her siblings learned how to farm the rice field with their parents to make a living.  In 1973, she married Leung Thongdee and birth 5 children.  The family migrated to Thailand in 1980 and settled in a refugee camp before settling in America.  Meanwhile, the family stayed in the Philippines for 6 months waiting for sponsorship. In 1989, the Thongdee family permanently immigrated to Lynn, Massachusetts where they lived with their distant cousins.

Somsy aka “Mae” was a wonderful wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend.  She was a selfless, very strong woman who had a heart of gold not only towards her family and friends but whoever she came across.  She was the backbone and the protector of the family.  She always motivated her family to be strong and to keep going under difficult circumstances.  No matter what she was going through, she always worried about everyone and put everyone else first.

In her lifetime, Somsy was dedicated to Buddhism and was an active member of the temples in the surrounding area. Other than her love for Buddhism, she was always looking forward going to the beach the most.  The scene of the ocean and the sound of the waves splashing made her feel peaceful as seen through her facial and body expressions.

Somsy is survived by her 5 children: Lloyd, Lam, Suanne “Nang”, Khoun and Freina Thongdee; 4 sisters and one brother: Bounthdy, Siemma, Thongkham, Singthong, and Phon and 9 grandchildren and 2 granddaughters (unborn).

Services will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, January 17, 2021, at Wright Funerals-Cremations.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 1:45 PM prior to the service.

Wright Funerals-Cremations is in charge of arrangements.