Ali's Eulogy (December 22, 2024)

We are here today to honor and remember Ali Rattanasouk, a woman whose love, kindness, and devotion touched everyone she knew. Ali was a beautiful person, inside and out, and the love she gave so freely will remain with us forever.

Ali’s life was beautifully simple in the best way. She didn’t need grand gestures or complicated plans, her happiness was rooted in the joy of her family. If her family was happy, she was happy. She loved cooking meals that brought everyone together, indulging in her favorite seafood, especially lobster, spending time shopping, and soaking up the warmth of the sun. These were the things that filled her heart with peace.

Her love for family knew no bounds. Whether they were across the ocean in Laos or just around the corner, she always stayed connected. She spoke so often of her grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and she cherished the time she was able to spend with them. Twice, Ali returned to Laos... once in 2008 with her parents, her sister Poppy, and her husband Keith, and again in 2016 with her parents and Poppy. She dreamed of going back one more time with Avalynn and Liam so they could meet her family. And though she couldn’t fulfill that dream herself, her family will carry that torch forward and make it happen.

Ali’s parents were everything to her. Rarely did a day pass when she didn’t visit them or check on them. It was no surprise that when she was diagnosed with stomach cancer in April, she chose to stay at her parents’ house with Poppy, Keith, Avalynn, and Liam, so she could be surrounded by the people she loved most.

Ali and Poppy shared a bond that went deeper than just being sisters. Though their personalities were polar opposite, their love for each other never wavered. Poppy was more than a sister to Ali, she was her rock and her closest friend. Ali trusted Poppy completely, especially when it came to Avalynn and Liam, who absolutely love their Aunt Poppy. That bond and love will carry on through the care and kindness Poppy continues to show Avalynn and Liam.

Ali and Keith loved each other to the ends of the earth. They built a life together that was filled with shared values, family first above all else. They traveled to Laos and New Hampshire, blending two families together, creating a bond that extended beyond just them. Ali’s family loved Keith, and Keith’s family adored Ali. The strength of their partnership and the love they shared inspired everyone who knew them.

Ali’s greatest pride and joy were her children, Avalynn and Liam. They were her everything. From the moment they were born, her mission was to give them the best life possible, filled with love, security, and happiness. Even after her diagnosis, her thoughts remained with them... how they would grow, thrive, and live their lives without her. She laid a foundation so strong that we know they will carry her spirit and love forward with them always.

Ali’s love extended far beyond her own children. She had a way with all kids, a calm, gentle presence that drew them to her naturally. Wherever she went, children would flock to her, sensing her warmth and kindness. That connection was a reflection of the person she was, someone who made everyone feel safe, loved, and valued.

Even in her final days, Ali showed her incredible sense of humor and grace. When Monica, a lifelong family friend, came over to give Ali a massage, Ali looked her straight in the eye and joked that she was going to empty her bank account just to have Monica come back every day to give her a massage. It was this kind of lightheartedness, even in the hardest moments, that made her so remarkable.

Since Ali’s passing, it’s been clear that her presence is still with us. Avalynn has been seen waving and blowing kisses, saying, “Bye, Mommy,” as though she knows Ali is right there with her. Liam, wise beyond his years, understands that his mommy is in heaven but will always live in his heart. He talks to her, and in his words, “She says she loves me.” Both Poppy and Keith have had dreams of her, where she reassured them that she is at peace and is in good hands.

Ali, you are in a better place now, free from pain, spreading your love even further than you could while you were here on earth. You were the heart of your family, and that love will carry on in Avalynn and Liam, in Keith, in Poppy, and in every person lucky enough to have known you.

Rest peacefully, Ali. We love you more than words can say.