Tu Hou Monica Lam, 林陳秋豪老夫人, October 11, 1933 - May 21, 2025 (91)

Tu Hou Monica Lam (née Chin), 91, of Chicago, IL was called home to the Lord on May 21, 2025 surrounded by family and strengthened by the sacraments of the Holy Catholic Church.

Tu Hou was born on October 11, 1933 in Duanfen, Taishan of the Guangdong Province of China.  Born to Chun Fook Chin, a shoemaker, she had an older brother, and a younger brother and sister.

In 1950, Tu Hou married Hong Hing William Lam and was blessed shortly after with their eldest daughter, Sheila (John) Lin.  She first moved to Hong Kong with her daughter for 4 years, before joining her husband in Chicago, IL in 1962, where they were further blessed with 4 more children, Thomas (Dale) Lam, Michelle (Glenn) Der, Sharon (Wesley) Wong, and Cindy (George) Ching and built their lives together.  Tu Hou was also a proud grandmother, cherishing time spent with her grandchildren: Raymond (Joanna Lo) Lin, Janice (Brian Chow) Lin, Jacob Lam, Elliot Lam, Wei-Ping Lam, Heather (Sam Bigio) Der, Haley Der, Kirsten Wong, Brandon Wong, Jasmine Ching and Jason Ching.

She worked as a machine operator at the Tootsie Roll Factory, and helped run the family restaurant for many years.  Assisted by the Maryknoll sisters and priests when they first moved to Chicago, she was baptized into the Catholic Church.  She became a lifelong parishioner and Sacred Heart Lady at St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church, where she devoted herself to feeding and praying for the Chicago Chinatown community.

A multifaceted person, she especially enjoyed cooking without recipes for families and friends, often making traditional Chinese dishes, dumplings, pastries, and salted fish.  She maintained a vibrant vegetable garden, growing a variety of gourds and melons. When she wasn't cooking, she loved her Jelly Belly, nuts, and Filet-O-Fish sandwiches. She was a natural engineer - building and fixing things around her house, an avid mahjong player, and loved watching Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, Chinese dramas, every sports game, and tracking the stock market.

Tu Hou is survived by her 5 children and their families, and preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings.

A visitation will be held at Dalcamo Funeral Home, 470 W. 26th St, Chicago, IL 60616, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm, with a prayer service at 6:30 pm.

On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, visitation will begin at 9:00 am, followed by a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church, 218 W. Alexander Street, Chicago, IL 60616. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Stickney, Illinois. Friends and family are invited to join in prayer and remembrance.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish (https://www.stmotherteresaparish.org/giving.html).

"Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."

St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church
218 W. Alexander St, CHICAGO IL 60616
Web: https://www.stmotherteresaparish.org/giving.html