She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walked with the universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings.
- Ariana Dancu

Thongchanh Kongdara was born October 5, 1938 in Vientiane, Laos. She passed away peacefully in Cambridge, Ontario on April 29, 2023. She was at home, surrounded by her family.

Thongchanh is dearly missed by her husband Sinh Kongdara of 66 years; children, Vanh (Bounsy), Seng (Viravone), Seo (Cey), Xay (Cheryl), Lod (Loun), Jai (Chansamone), Pon (John) and Bouaketh; neice Hongkeo; grandchildren Bobby, Lena (Andrew),  Shain (Nikki), Brandon, Jordan, Victoria, Zachary, Shawn, William, Phoenix, Jessica (Blair), Samantha, Michael, Jayden, Kody, Jacob, Lucas, and Aasia, and many great grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her daughter Amphayvanh and granddaughter Helaina.

Thongchanh was a pillar of the Lao community and would often be found at Wat preparing food for celebrations and service. She is remembered for her strength, sense of humor, contagious smile, negotiation skills, bigger than life personality, kha thom, and having a profound sense of pride about her family.

Her legacy will live on through all the lives she touched. She was everyone’s grandmother.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, in memory of Thongchanh.