In the afternoon of Friday, July 22, 2022, Mom passed away peacefully at home, lovingly surrounded by family. After years of struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, she was finally able to let go and separate from the travails of this world to move on to a higher spiritual realm.
From beginning to end, Mom’s life was not for the faint-of-heart, relentlessly presenting her with challenging hardships, one after another. She overcame these with amazing strength and fortitude, fueled by a fierce loyalty and unflinching devotion as wife, mother, sister, teacher/mentor, colleague, and friend. Born the oldest girl to a large family, she was a second mother to her youngest siblings long before she became a mother to her own children. Later, forced to flee the war in Vietnam, she and Dad managed to relocate a family of nine safely to start over in a new country, adapting to a culture and way of life that was completely foreign to them.
Anyone who knew Mom, knew that the primary focus of her life was unquestioningly her family. While Dad was the big-picture person, Mom tended to the execution of innumerable lowly but essential details of everyday life, laboring both inside and outside the home to support her family. She was, in many ways, an unsung hero in our family. Her life’s work might have been overlooked because of its humble nature, but its impact is undeniable and lives on in the success of her children, younger siblings and extended family-students and friends whose lives she touched.
Mom’s first great love outside of family was teaching, and her gift for it was recognized early. During a time when it was uncommon for women to become highly educated in Vietnam, she won a scholarship to study abroad in the US, where she earned a postgraduate degree before returning to Vietnam to begin a professional career at a women’s college. She relished her teaching role, beloved and respected by those who knew her professionally. Her impact on students became especially clear when-after many years of living in the US following the Vietnam War-Mom returned to Vietnam for a brief visit. Former students organized a formal celebration to pay tribute to her.
Ever the social and outgoing spirit, Mom always opened up to others easily to make friends-from hairstylists to neighbors and work colleagues. Even when afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, she was adored by all who came into our home to provide care to her. Mom would have been happy to know that after a lifetime of endlessly giving to caring for others, she was, in the end, surrounded by those who loved and cared for her.
Our hearts are broken and lives emptier without Mom, but we are all incredibly grateful for the time were so fortunate to have had with her-the memories of which we will now carry within us always.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests a donation be made to St. Monica Catholic Church whose pastor, Fr. Martins C. Emeh, J.C.L., faithfully administered to Germaine for years, through the last days of her life.
St. Monica Catholic Church:
8421 west Montgomery Road
Houston, Texas 77088-7116
Phone: (281) 447-5837
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