Phitsamay Sithiphong

In Memory of Mai Sithiphong
March 1, 1970 – July 14, 2025

Mai Sithiphong passed away on July 14, 2025, after facing cancer with quiet strength and remarkable grace. She was 55 years old.
Mai was born in Ban Sithantay, Vientiane, Laos, the second child of Bounxay Sithiphong and Bounnyok Khamkeomany. After the family relocated to Nong Khai, Thailand in the mid-1970s, Mai lost her mother at a young age—a loss that shaped much of her deep empathy and care for others.

In 1980, she moved to the United States with her father and brothers, beginning a new life in Des Moines, Iowa. Soon after, they relocated to Wichita, Kansas, where Mai lived under the care of her aunt, Bounyule. Years later, in Anchorage, Alaska, she became a devoted mother to her son, Jade, and built a life marked by resilience, love, and generosity.

In 2011, Mai returned to Des Moines and met her husband, Riki Fongdara. Together, they created a home filled with warmth and mutual support. Those who knew Mai remember her not just for her calm demeanor and gentle voice, but for her unwavering kindness and ability to make people feel welcome and valued. She gave without hesitation—her time, her care, her food, and most of all, her heart.

Whether in family gatherings or quiet conversations, Mai was present in the most meaningful ways. She had a gift for showing up—often unannounced, always just when you needed someone. Even when her own challenges grew heavy, she remained focused on others, never asking for much in return.

In 2025, she and Riki returned to Wichita to be closer to her extended family. Though her time was cut short, Mai leaves behind a legacy of deep compassion and quiet strength. Her absence will be felt profoundly, but the love she gave continues to live on in those who had the privilege of knowing her.

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