Lily S. Lim's Obituary
Lily S. Lim (née Go Suy Eng), age 91, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025, in Fremont, California. Born on January 25, 1934, in Manila, Philippines, Lily lived a vibrant life filled with resilience, adventure, and a deep connection to her family.
Lily was the beloved wife of Avelino (Lim Tiong Chon). Together, they built a life and family, welcoming their two sons and two daughters: Avelino “Leo” Junior (who sadly passed away in infancy), Paul, Billie, and Kevin. Lily named the sons, while Avelino named the daughters; she named their firstborn son after him, and he named their firstborn daughter after her (whose childhood English name was Billy). Lily was also a very proud grandmother to Timothy and Joshua.
Born to Gan Siok Hua (Virginia) and Go Yu Chee, who immigrated from Amoy (Xiamen), Fujian province of China, Lily was the eldest of six children and was followed by Miguel, Betty, Peter, Rita, and Robert. She is survived by her sisters, Betty and Rita.
Lily’s early life was marked by the challenges of World War II. Her family bravely navigated the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, relying on their resourcefulness to survive. This experience undoubtedly shaped her spirit.
She received her early education at Chiang Kai Shek and St. Stephen’s High School before pursuing higher education at the Mapua Institute of Technology. In 1959, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, an achievement as one of only two female students in a predominantly male field. Her love for adventures also led her to Taiwan, where she participated in a cultural exchange program and spent two years as an exchange student at National Taiwan University. It was also in Taiwan where she and Avelino traveled to celebrate their union.
Lily and Avelino worked together as engineers building structures. Later, after dedicating herself to raising her children, Lily established her own after-school tutoring business. For many years, she passionately guided students from first grade through high school in Chinese subjects, leaving a lasting impact on their academic journeys. She and Avelino also instilled a love of learning in all three children.
Beyond her professional life, Lily was an enthusiastic athlete. As the team captain (#8) of the “Flying Swallows” basketball team, she displayed her skill and competitive spirit, even playing against teams in Asia. She fondly recounted sinking a half-court shot in the final seconds to the roar of the crowd. Her love for the game never diminished. She was a devoted fan who rarely missed a Golden State Warriors game and playfully referred to Steph Curry as her “boyfriend.”
Lily also had a passion for travel, embarking on numerous road trip adventures with her family and her spirited group of septuagenarian friends, exploring the beauty of several states and countries.
God has been faithful to her all her life, and she cherished prayers. On one of her last days, she asked every visitor to pray with her.
At last, after thirty-four years of earthly separation, Lily will be reunited with her beloved Avelino in the presence of the LORD. We will remember Lily as a smart, generous, and mischievous mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend. Her personality and spirit touched the lives of those who knew her.
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