Hlee Mai Ly

Our Mother, Hlee Mai Ly, 55, shed her earthly bonds on the early morning of June 19, 2024, in Saint Paul, MN. In her final days, Mom held on to the hope that she would recover from her illness. Even when faced with the inevitable, she maintained her courage and consoled family, who stayed by her side as she received care at Regions Hospital.

Our Mother, Hlee Mai Ly, was born in Laos, as the eldest daughter to Mao and Chia Ly. After fleeing Laos due to war, Mom’s family found their new home in America. They started off in Springfield, Tennessee and eventually made their way up to Saint Paul, Minnesota, where they made a permanent home. It was here in this quaint and cold state that Mom attended Como Park Senior High School and where she met her sweetheart and eventual husband of twenty-nine years - our father, Dr. Foung Lo.

After she graduated from high school and college, Mom attended William Mitchell Law School. Through many trials and tribulations, she received her Juris Doctorate of Law and soon after, she and our Dad decided to start a family. By the time she had her fourth child, Mom enjoyed many years of success as a lawyer and wanted to pursue other business ventures. She acquired Z-Bigatti, a skin care company, to provide quality products for all people. In this role, Mom was able to travel outside of America, making connections and friends around the world. 

Our Mother, Hlee, had a talent for advocacy and inspiring others – that’s what made her such a great lawyer and businesswoman. In her work and in her community, she was honest and had so much unconditional love for all those she came to know. Mom also had a real zest for life. In her adventures, she had made a trek up the Manitou Trail in nothing but her dress, Prada sandals and purse in hand, upstaging every other hiker there in full gear. She also treasured her “girls time” and traveled with her sisters, with whom she held near and dear to her heart. Everywhere Mom went, she always wanted to share stories of travel with others. Her passion to see the world led her to see “The Leaning Tower of Pisa” in Italy, the” Eiffel Tower” in France to more familiar places like “The Epcot Dome” in Florida. Whether near or far, she enjoyed all these places and more.

However grand the trips, the joy of sharing these experiences with family meant more. The one journey, however, that she wished not to share was her battle with terminal illness. For many, her parting may have come as a surprise and her time with us has sadly ended too soon. For family and those who loved her deeply, we know that she lived her life in the fullest way possible. It is our true belief that she has found her peace and that this is not an ending but another beginning for her on a new journey. Even though we cannot yet follow her, those of us left behind-her sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and family- will continue to live a life that would make her proud. 

Hlee Ly is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Foung Lo, her four beautiful children: Lionus (Ntonpe) Lo , Danielle (Jaeiya) Lo, Pierce(Chawjun) Lo and Grace (Jawje) Lo, who reside in Oakdale, MN. Hlee is also survived by her two Brothers, Thai Ly, Oakdale, MN and Pou Ly, Cottage Grove, MN along with her two sisters Tia Ly, Oakdale, MN and Cee Ly, Lake Elmo, MN. Hlee is preceded in death by her brother, Gee Ly, parents Mao and Chia Ly. She also leaves behind her larger extended family, friends, and church community, all of whom she loved and cherished.