IN LOVING
MEMORY
In Loving Memory of Trisha Cheung
With hearts broken beyond words, we share the passing of our beloved Trisha, who left this world peacefully in the early morning of March 10, 2026, at the age of 53, surrounded by the love of her devoted husband and her sisters.
Even now, it is difficult to accept a world without her. The loss is immeasurable, and the silence she leaves behind is something we are still learning to live with. There are no words that can fully carry this grief, nor any that can truly capture the extraordinary woman she was.
Trisha was the heart of our family, the warmth in our home, the steady presence we leaned on, and the quiet strength that carried us through life’s most difficult moments. She had a rare gift for making everyone feel seen, valued, and deeply loved. Her kindness was effortless, and her compassion knew no bounds.
Her love extended far beyond those closest to her. She carried a deep care for others, especially overseas orphans and the poor, giving not for recognition but from a place of pure love. Through her generosity and countless quiet acts of kindness, she touched more lives than we will ever know.
Her laughter filled our lives with joy, and her smile had a way of bringing light into even the darkest days. She made life feel softer, warmer, and more meaningful simply by being in it.
Trisha lived with grace, strength, and unwavering love. As a wife, she was a devoted partner and soulmate. As a mother, she gave her whole heart. As a sister, daughter, and friend, she was a constant source of love, support, and comfort. She brought people together and created moments that will live on in our hearts forever.
Now, in her absence, everything feels quieter, and we find ourselves missing the simplest things, her voice, her laughter, her gentle presence. And yet, even in this deep sorrow, we know she remains with us, in the love she gave, in the lessons she taught, and in the memories we will cherish always.
We will carry her with us in our hearts, honoring her by loving more deeply, giving more freely, and holding one another closer, just as she always did. We will continue to update this space each year as we celebrate her birthday and remember her life, sharing photos, messages, and reflections. For those who cannot be with us in person, this will be a place where her memory continues to live on, so you never miss a moment of remembrance.
Our beloved Trisha,
thank you for loving us so completely and so selflessly.
You were our heart, our home, and our greatest blessing.
Rest peacefully.
You are deeply loved and will be missed beyond words, forever and always.
Sunrise: April 3, 1973 - Sunset: March 10, 2026
Donation
In keeping with Trisha’s heartfelt wishes, all donations from the funeral services will be given 100% to the temple and to help overseas orphans and those in need. We honor her generous and compassionate spirit by carrying forward her love and kindness in this way.
The 49 days following a passing, in the Buddhist tradition, are a sacred and sorrowful time, filled with mourning and reflection. It is a period when those left behind gather in prayer and ritual, holding on to what remains, offering merit in hopes of gently guiding the departed soul toward a peaceful rebirth.
These 49 days pass slowly, in seven cycles of seven days, each one marked by remembrance and longing. With every prayer, it feels as though we are walking beside them, even as the distance grows. On the 49th day, it is believed that the soul makes its final transition, moving on to its next life, while we are left here, learning how to live without Trisha.
Beyond tradition, this time carries a deeper ache. It is love with nowhere to go, yet still refusing to fade. In their absence, our prayers and offerings become the only way we can reach them, quiet expressions of grief, connection, and enduring love. It is how we hold on, even as we are forced to let go.
Family and friends are invited to gather at the address below for a final goodbye to Trisha, a moment to remember her laughter, her joy, and the love she brought into our lives. There will be an open microphone for anyone who wishes to share a few words. Speak to her; she will be listening, and she will be comforted to hear your voice.
Please join us at the reception at the address below, and email the number of attendees to trisha.cheung@gmail.com.
Celebration of Life
Family and Friends Reception
Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 11:00 AM
Spirit Tablet at Lieu Quan Temple
10:50 AM - 1:00 PM (come early)
Lieu Quan Buddhist Cultural
1425 Clayton Road, San Jose, CA 95127
In the quiet light of compassion, Trisha moved through this life with a heart that gave without measure. Her kindness arose gently, never seeking return, always placing others before herself. With sincere and tender care, she reached out to those in need, embodying the Dharma in its simplest truth to love without attachment and to give without expectation.
During the two days of her memorial, April 3rd and April 4th, a sacred stillness seemed to embrace all who gathered. These days carried the essence of renewal, rebirth, and remembrance, coinciding with Easter, the Qingming Festival, and the day of her birthday. In this gentle convergence, many felt a deeper meaning unfold, as though causes and conditions had come together in quiet harmony.
Monks from two traditions, Vietnamese and Thai, arrived at different times, each offering chants and prayers to guide her onward journey. In their calm and compassionate wisdom, both shared the same understanding that her spirit had transitioned peacefully, guided toward a favorable realm. With reverence for their guidance, we continued this path of devotion through nightly chanting, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, beginning from the day of her transition through the 49th day, Sunday, April 26th. merit was dedicated, and love was carried forward with each mindful recitation.
On the afternoon of April 3rd, as the service gently approached its closing, I stepped quietly toward her photo to offer incense, a gesture of reverence, gratitude, and respect. Beside her image rested a birdcage with two beautiful white doves. Within it, I noticed an egg, with two birds nearby, keeping silent watch. Drawn by a feeling beyond words, I called her sister Quyen to stand beside me and witness this simple yet profound moment. In that stillness, a quiet understanding arose, on the day of her birthday, surrounded by symbols of renewal, perhaps this was a gentle teaching: that life continues, that all things transform, and that nothing truly ends but instead flows onward in new form.
With tender care and a heart full of reverence, I brought the egg home and nestled it among gentle birds already devoted to nurturing life. Eighteen (18) days later, in a quiet, almost sacred moment, the shell opened, and a small golden chick came into the world, fragile and soft. In its gentle arrival, there was a deep and unspoken reminder that life does not end but softly continues, taking form once more.
In time, as this precious life grows and slowly finds its way in the days ahead, I will bring the dove closer into the home, caring for it with patience, mindfulness, and tender devotion. With steady attention, I will gently guide, train, and nurture it so that one day it may fly to me when I softly call. In this simple and sacred act, only a quiet honoring of the bond that continues beyond form. It is a way of allowing love to remain present, unfolding with each mindful breath and each passing season through the years yet to come. I feel that for another fifteen (15) to twenty (20) years, her spirit may remain near, living on in another form under my loving care. And perhaps, within this quiet journey, I will feel her presence, still near, still with me, moving through another form within the boundless flow of life.
Another sacred moment quietly revealed itself during her entombment service on Saturday, April 4th. The day stood in stillness, clear, radiant, and untouched by rain. The sun shone fully above her resting place, as if the heavens themselves were offering a gentle blessing. And then, in that serene light, a rainbow appeared above her crypt, arching softly into the sky. The clouds gathered with a tender grace, resembling the form of an angel, as though the unseen world were bowing in compassion.
Whether we understand these as signs or as the natural unfolding of causes and conditions, they carry a deep शांत peace, reminding us of the Dharma: that all things arise, abide, and pass away. And yet within this impermanence, there is a boundless and unbroken connection. It felt as though the compassionate presence of the Tathāgata Buddha (如來佛祖) had gently guided her onward, the rainbow a bridge between realms, lifting her with grace at the moment of farewell.
Even the venerable head monks shared that such a phenomenon is exceedingly rare, almost never witnessed beneath a full and shining sun, and even more so at the very moment of entombment. In this, there was a quiet reflection of the life she lived.
She walked this world with a heart that gave freely, offering kindness without seeking return, placing others before herself, and extending her hands to those in need with sincere compassion.
And so, we continue on this path, not clinging, yet never forgetting. We walk forward with her presence gently held within our hearts, guided by compassion, just as she lived.
Living Tribute of Cherished Memories
A living tribute of cherished memories, favorite anecdotes, and the many small moments that made Trisha’s journey so extraordinary.
Click image to play video
Thank you for being here to honor and remember Trisha. Your presence, support, and shared memories mean so much to our family during this difficult time. Please fill out this form below.
Guests Are Kindly Invited To Share Their Thoughts Below.
As we gather to honor and celebrate Trisha’s life, we kindly invite you to take a moment to sign in through our form below. Your presence, along with your name, kind words, and any photos you may wish to share of Trisha, will bring lasting comfort to our family. Thank you for being here to remember and honor her.
Leave a Message for Trisha and the Family
Messages Shared by Friends and Family Below
San Luc (uncle) - March 2026 : One of my sweetest memories of my niece takes me back to when she was about four or five years old. I remember visiting my sister and always finding her with this little towel in her hands, holding it close and smelling it as if it were her own comfort blanket. I would gently tease her, telling her she should wash it since she carried it everywhere and it must be so dirty, but she would just smile that innocent, beautiful smile that still lives so clearly in my heart. Even then, you could see how naturally caring she was, always so gentle and full of love toward everyone around her.
Nhut Sinh Ngo (cousin) - March 2026 : One of my most cherished memories of Trisha takes me back to our childhood, playing hide and seek until the sun slowly slipped away. We would laugh endlessly, and no matter how simple the game was, she had a special way of filling it with so much joy. Those moments so full of light, laughter, and innocence are memories I will forever hold close to my heart. Trisha was more than just my cousin; she was like a built-in best friend growing up. We shared countless carefree moments, and that bond is something I will always treasure deeply. Even as life carried us in different directions, those early memories remained a beautiful and lasting thread that kept us connected in a truly special way.
(Elise) Dieu-Thanh (friend) - March 2026 : I came to know Trisha through her sister, Tiffany, and even in those moments, it was clear what a kind and gentle soul she was. There was a quiet warmth about her, a sincerity in the way she treated others that left a lasting impression. If I were to describe her in a word, it would be “kind,” but that kindness carried so much depth. It showed in her presence, in her spirit, and in the way she made those around her feel seen and cared for. To Andy and the entire family, please know that my heart is with you during this time. Grief is never easy, but I hope that as you walk through it, you find moments of peace in the memories you shared with Trisha. May those memories bring gentle comfort and, in time, allow smiles to return as you remember her life, her kindness, and the love she gave so freely.
Ashley Luc (cousin) - March 2026 Part 1 - 2 : One of my fondest memories of you takes me back to when I was about 13 years old and you took me shopping. I smile now thinking about it, because when you asked what I needed, I said something as simple as socks, but without hesitation, you took me anyway. It wasn’t really about what I needed; it was about the time you chose to spend with me, and that meant everything. You have always been one of the most selfless people I’ve ever known, constantly giving your time and your heart to those you loved. Even now, I know that if you were here, you would be the one comforting everyone else; that’s just who you were. I will miss your generous spirit and your deeply kind heart more than words can express.
Ashley Luc (cousin) March 2026 Part 2 - 2 : I wrote you a letter as my way of saying goodbye, though in my heart it is only “until we meet again.” We are all destined to find our place among the stars one day; yours just came sooner than we were ready for. Now, as you shine among them, I pray your soul is at peace. There is comfort in knowing you are free from pain. Please know that your children are surrounded by so much love and care, from aunts, uncles, and all of us who hold them close. I promise I will be there for them whenever they need, just as you would have been. Sometimes, when I look up at the night sky, I feel your smile, your calm, warm presence shining back at me. And in those quiet moments, it doesn’t feel so far away. With all my love, until we meet again, Chi Phuong What is one word or phrase that best describes Trisha? Selfless, generous, and kind.
Chi Linh / Anh Sửu (Elise) Dieu-Thanh (Boys Scout Troop 127) - March 2026 : Would you like to share a favorite memory of Trisha?: Tiễn em về cõi vĩnh hằng..nhớ hoài nụ cười của em..nhớ cách nói chuyện hiền hoà..nhớ những kỷ niệm cùng nhau khi sinh hoạt với đoàn như 1 cuốn phim cuộc đời 🥹🙏🏻 What is one word or phrase that best describes Trisha?: Hiền..dễ thương Is there something special you’d like us to know about your connection with Trisha?: Sinh hoạt đoàn hứng đạo troop 127...Lê Văn Duyệt
