Obituary of Margaret Lam

Margaret Kit-Fai Lam Obituary

Margaret Kit-Fai Lam, 83, of Montville, NJ, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2024, surrounded by her cherished family. Born in Hong Kong to Lam But Chung and Fu Pui Wah, Margaret was the third of seven children. From an early age, she stood out for her tenacity, spirit, and athletic prowess, excelling in volleyball, tennis, basketball, and softball at St. Stephen’s Girls’ School, where she made lifelong friendships and cultivated her passion for teamwork and community.

In 1967, Margaret immigrated to the United States, carrying with her a deep commitment to strengthening her new community. She quickly became a leading voice for the Asian community in New Jersey, tirelessly advocating for cultural visibility and cohesion. Her involvement with the Northen New Jersey Chinese Association, where she served multiple terms as president, and the local Chinese school marked the beginning of her legacy as a community leader.

Margaret and her husband, David Yen, co-founded the New Jersey Chinese Festival in 1989 at the request of Governor Thomas Kean. For over two decades, this festival brought Chinese heritage to life for thousands, becoming one of the state’s largest and most anticipated cultural celebrations. In 1992, Margaret’s efforts led her to serve on Governor Florio’s Ethnic Advisory Council, followed by founding the Hong Kong Club in 1993 and chairing the New Jersey Ethnic Ball Committee in 1995. Her public service continued as she was later appointed to Governor Whitman’s state School Ethics Commission.

One of Margaret’s proudest moments came in 2004 when she was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the second highest civilian award in the United States. This recognition, a tribute to her distinguished contributions to the Chinese community and her embodiment of the American spirit, cemented her place in history, honoring her as a beacon of cultural pride and dedication.

In 2009, she and David championed the arts by sponsoring the Center for Chinese Art at William Paterson University and founding the United Chinese American Association of New Jersey. She remained active on multiple nonprofit boards and tirelessly advocated for the Asian community until her final days.

Beyond her public achievements, Margaret was an entrepreneur, founding Prosperity Resources International Inc., a company importing dry goods from Asia. She was also active in the Montville Republican Club and founded the NJ Chinese Tennis Association, fostering sportsmanship and camaraderie in her community.

Among all of her achievements, Margaret was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She and her husband, David, shared a life filled with love, mutual respect, and shared values that shaped both their family and their community work. Margaret’s children, Andrew and Cindy, were guided by her unwavering support, learning generosity, and dedication through her example. Her grandchildren, Ryan and Kyle were the light of her life, bringing her endless pride and joy. Margaret’s home was always a welcoming place where family and friends gathered to share love and laughter, and where she created a sense of unity among her guests. Her legacy of love, respect, and connection will inspire generations to come.

Margaret was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David Yen, her parents, and siblings, David Lam, Wilfred Lam, Rosita Yuen, Patricia Yu, and Leslie Lam. She is survived by her children, Andrew Ko (Emily) of Morris Plains, NJ, and Cindy Ho (John), along with her two cherished grandsons, Ryan Ho and Kyle Ho of Boston, MA. She also leaves behind her brother, Laurent Lam (Linda), as well as David’s children, Edward Yen of Stuart, FL, and Margaret Bailey (Patrick) of Scarsdale, NY, and their children, Aaron (Yue), Peter (Anni), and Lauren (Matthew). Margaret’s legacy lives on in her extended family, whose lives she touched deeply.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Margaret K. Lam Scholarship Fund to honor her commitment to future generations. Donations can be sent to: MTRC Margaret K. Lam Scholarship Fund, PO Box 535, Montville, NJ 07045.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life with eulogies* from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Cremation will take place on Sunday, November 10, with interment on Tuesday, November 12, for family only.