Nary Yok Yim

Nary Yok Yim, 70, of South Hadley, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at home on April 8, 2026 with her husband by her side after a long battle with cancer.

Born in Oudong, Kampong Speu, Cambodia to her late father Tob Yok and mother Heiing Touch, she separated from her parents and siblings at barely 19 years old to escape a war-torn country with her husband, determined to build a better life for their children.

Through the sponsorship of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, South Hadley, MA, she and her family found refuge in the United States in October, 1981. She remained eternally grateful to the church and its congregants for their kindness, support and spiritual guidance in helping her family settle in a foreign country. A devout member, she embodied the church’s values and instilled in her children the tenets of generosity, love, and service to others.

She began and ended her working life in factories, starting as a seamstress at Elco Dress after arriving in the United States, then spent a majority at Intelicoat Technologies (formerly Rexam, and James River Graphics), and ultimately retiring from Friendly’s Ice Cream Factory. A hardworking and resourceful woman, she took on additional jobs—often working nights and weekends—to provide opportunities for her family and put all of her children through college.

She cherished and spoiled her three grandchildren, found joy in gardening and cooking for her family, and was known for her famous eggrolls. She also enjoyed feeding birds in her backyard, long phone conversations with friends, and ending each day watching Wheel of Fortune with her husband.

Generous beyond measure, she helped other Cambodian immigrants with their journey to a better life in the United States, opened her home to those in need, and dedicated countless hours volunteering including at the Buddhist temple where she found spiritual comfort and peace in the last years of her life.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Teng; her three children - son Sontra and his wife Laura, daughter Sonty, and son Sokharun; and her granddaughters, Sierra, Sophia, and Sienna. She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Sonthea, who passed in early infancy amid the hardships of war. She also leaves behind her nephew, Davy, whom she loved as her own child.

Though her life was taken from us too soon, her memory and spirit will live on in the hearts of her family and all who were touched by her compassion, kindness, humor, and unwavering strength.

Calling hours will be held on April 26 between 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Beers & Story Funeral Home, South Hadley. A Celebration of Life reception will follow from 4:30PM at Thai Place Banquet, South Hadley.