In Loving Memory of Geekar Lai

This fundraising effort was set up to remember Gee and to  help the Lai family with the unforeseen medical, funeral, and memorial costs. Your kind efforts and thoughts are truly appreciated.


Geekar Lai was a bright and cheerful person who brought joy to everyone around her.  She was a loving daughter and caring sister to her family and was adored by her friends. Earlier this year, she was unexpectedly diagnosed with end stage gastric cancer. She was 31 years old.




Despite the sudden news, she fought bravely in the midst of uncertainty and always managed to put on a smile at the end of the day. From surgery to clinic visits during this pandemic, Geekar remained strong for her family and friends.



Geekar's short but resilient battle with cancer ended on Friday afternoon on May 8, 2020. She was surrounded by her loved ones and best friends.

Gee was an amazing person who will be remembered for many things, amongst them her passion for helping others. She was a beloved 3rd grade teacher with a strong interest in nonprofit organizations, and completed her Master's degree in Public Administration. Gee will always be remembered for her vibrant personality, her love for life and travel, and above all, her love and devotion to her family and friends.


Below is a piece written by Jennifer Yip in memory of Geekar:

With heavy hearts, we are sharing the tragic news that Geekar lost her battle with cancer on May 8, 2020.

We want to pay tribute to her life and celebrate all that she loved.

Where to start? Anyone who knows Geekar knows that she was a coffee aficionado. Despite the eccentric effect that coffee made her sleepy, she enjoyed a cup of coffee while catching up with friends, walking leisurely and aimlessly in the neighborhood, and playing board games at a now shuttered Hawaiian café.


Geekar was the teammate you’d want on game nights if you like to simply play for fun. She valued laughing at implausible answers in Code Names or figuring out Rorschach-like drawings in Telestration over beating her competitors. Winning never mattered to her, but spending time with her friends and loved ones always did.


She was also the teammate you’d want if you are in a competition to name any Disney songs by only listening to the first few lyrics. She would win. In fact, we’re convinced that she could name all the songs in The Little Mermaid by listening to just the first few chords. Her favorite was “Part of Your World”, which was her go-to song in every 5-hour karaoke-thon that she participated in.


Dinner usually followed after a half-day of singing. As a Yelp elite, Geekar was the dinner date who would make you wait to eat your food until she snaps a few pictures for her reviews. Conversation topics with her range from the mundane (what movies to watch?) to the otherworldly (no, unicorns are not real). She delighted in sampling different desserts but ice cream usually ranked among the top choices.


Most importantly, Geekar was the friend who is more accurately described as a sister. She called you out if you were being stupid. She was unafraid to unleash her witty sarcasm on you to laugh at you, and more often than not, laugh with you. She had unwavering faith in you when you’re plagued by doubts and second guesses. She stayed up with you all night to listen to your complaints, however trivial, and offered her heartfelt advice. She was that special someone who always stood in your corner, through sunshine or rain.



We love you so much, Geekar. Thank you for being a wonderful person and for enriching our lives in ways that can’t be described. The life-changing footprint that you had on our lives is forever etched in our souls. We will never stop celebrating your life in your memory.