Makara (Tim) Lek

Loyal, fierce, resilient & loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister & aunt.

Makara (Tim) Lek, 75, of Dracut, Massachusetts, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

Born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, January 30, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Sambo Neth and the late Tim Som. She spent her earliest years in Phnom Penh and Battambang with her six siblings. With great strength and grit, she survived the Cambodian genocide and emigrated to New York with her young daughter Borynette in 1979. Soon after, she married the love of her life: the late Sam Oeun Lek. The family moved to California in 1980. Here, they established donut shops, creating a strong foundation to care for their children and extended family. They moved to Lowell, Massachusetts in 1990 where Makara spent the latter part of her life.

A loving and devoted mother, Makara was dedicated to her children and grandchildren. She was the connector of the family who brought together siblings, cousins, nephews and nieces annually. Above all things, Makara was proud of seeing future generations build stable and successful lives for themselves.

Makara enjoyed fashion and dreamt of being a fashion designer. She sewed beautiful clothing for herself and her family. She knitted and crocheted blankets, tablecloths, and more.

Her love language was food. A visit to Makara’s home always included thoughtfully prepared dishes: yao hon, mee kola, and lobster claws. She loved her people dearly and fed them well.

Makara is survived by her son, Khamara Lek of Boston, MA; two grandchildren, Emma Beyer of Boston, MA, and Ethan E. Johnson of Lowell, MA; a sister, Kanika Heng and her husband Tong Heng of Denver, CO; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her two daughters, Borynette Johnson and Boradeth Chham, as well as her siblings Noreth Som, Phourin Tim, Noroeun Som, Norenn Som, and Boridha Tim.

The family extends their gratitude to Dr. Aslam and the entire CCU team at Tufts Medical Center for their compassionate care.

Family and friends are invited to her Visitation to be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in LOWELL from 1 to 4 PM. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, our family will be donating all contributions in Makara’s memory to support memorial services and her extended family in Cambodia. Venmo Khamara Lek at @khamlek. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.

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