Moon Sun Song

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Moon Sun Song—known to many as Moon, and lovingly as Lisa. Her story is one of faith, resilience, love, and beauty—a life lived fully, quietly, and with extraordinary grace.

Moon passed away peacefully with her son by her side on the morning of May 6th, a few days before Mother’s Day and just shy of her 81st birthday. Moon was born in Burma in 1944 and survived the Korean War, experiences that shaped her deep compassion and strength. After graduating from the esteemed Kyung Gi High School for girls in Seoul, she moved to Hawaii in 1962 to live with her aunt and uncle and attend the University of Hawaii. There, she met, fell in love with, and married her husband, Sung Hun Song, and together they began a journey of living the American dream.

They lived in Oahu, Hawaii, Newport News, Virginia, spent two years in Seoul, and ultimately settled in Arlington Heights, Illinois, a Chicago suburb that became home. Their beloved son Daniel was Moon’s greatest joy—her pride, her heart, and her life’s purpose. She nurtured and guided him with patience and deep love.

When Sung Hun passed away in 1997, Moon’s faith and inner strength carried her forward. She and Dan became inseparable—more than mother and son, they were best friends. They traveled together, shared life’s joys and sorrows, and supported one another through everything. Even when they lived far apart, Moon stayed close—visiting often and always bringing a small gift, a token of her love.

After her husband’s passing, Moon embraced life with courage and adventure. She traveled the world with her dear friend Sara and her church, exploring Turkey, Norway, Germany, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and many other destinations. One of her trip highlights was a mother and son Viking cruise on the Danube River in 2018. Through it all, she carried her faith and her love of others with her.

She was a devoted member of the Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church, first in Chicago and later in Denver, where she was a cornerstone of the community. Her glorious singing voice was a true gift—filling sanctuaries with the beauty of hymns, especially her beloved Ave Maria, which she sang with reverence and devotion. It is not hard to imagine her now, standing in heaven’s light, lifting her voice in praise once more.

Moon found peace in the quiet moments of life—walking through forest preserves, around Lake Arlington, the Chicago Botanic Gardens, and the Northbrook Mall on wintry days. These moments were her time for reflection, stillness, and connection with God.

Her final, most treasured role was as grandmother to Hannah, born in 2012. Moon helped raise her, cared for her with unwavering devotion, and delighted in every milestone. Hannah brought Moon an immeasurable joy that completed her heart and reinvigorated purpose in her life.

Moon lived diligently, gracefully, joyfully, and with deep faith. She gave her love gently and fully, without fanfare, but with a power that continues to echo in the lives she touched.

Moon is survived by her sister Cecelia, her son Daniel (Andrea), her granddaughter Hannah, beloved nieces and nephews, and friends and church members who were part of her extended family.

As we remember her, we also remember one of her favorite reflections of faith—the Footprints poem. It reminds us that even in our hardest moments, God carries us. And we believe that He is carrying Moon now, gently, lovingly, into eternal peace.

“During your times of trial and suffering,

when you saw only one set of footprints,

it was then that I carried you.”

We miss you, Moon. We carry your love with us, always. And we know your voice, your laughter, and your spirit live on—in heaven and in us.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 16th at Shalom Memorial, 1700 W. Rand Road, in Arlington Heights, IL. A celebration of life in Denver is being planned later this month for local friends and family at her favorite restaurant, the Sushi Den.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance or towards a memorial bench in her name at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, which was one of her favorite places to find peace and joy in nature. For donations towards a memorial bench at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, please select a Tribute Donation amount and enter Moon Song as the Honoree name.