Jen Nguyen

December 10, 1992-March 14, 2025

Jen Nguyen lived a life defined by resilience, service, and unwavering loyalty. Born on December 10, 1992, in the Galang Red Cross Refugee Camp in Indonesia, she began her journey as a survivor. At two years old, she immigrated to Dallas, Texas, where she was raised in Section 8 housing and spent a brief stint in foster-care, yet she never allowed her circumstances to define her, limit her ambition, or diminish her generosity.

Determined to give back to the country that gave her a new home, Jen answered the call to serve. Upon graduating from high school, Jen initially accepted a full scholarship as a President’s Scholar at Southern Methodist University. Just weeks later, she chose duty over comfort, disenrolling to enlist in the United States Navy in August 2011—a decision she always said she never regretted. She served as a Fire Controlman Second Class Petty Officer, specializing in the Ship’s Self-Defense Weapon System. Her sheer perseverance and drive led her to commission from the United States Naval Academy in 2018, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Arabic and became a Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer. She dedicated herself to sea tours aboard USS RUSHMORE (LSD-47), USS DECATUR (DDG-73), and USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73), deploying to the Middle East and embodying discipline, leadership, and commitment throughout her career.

After medically retiring as a lieutenant in 2023, Jen forged a new path with the same relentless determination that had defined her military career. She became a certified esthetician, worked full-time as a government contractor in helicopter training, and still found time to pet-sit over 500 dogs, pursue her pre-nursing prerequisites, and volunteer every Saturday evening in the emergency room. No challenge was too great; no goal was out of reach.

But beyond her accomplishments, Jen was a seeker of life’s beauty. She had a profound love for simplicity—she chased the sunrises and sunsets, embraced the solitude of solo camping, fell in love with hockey after witnessing a single brawl, and found solace in the world of books. As a photographer, she had an extraordinary way of capturing the quiet, unseen moments that told her story. Through the lens and in life, she always saw the best in people even when it came at her own expense.

She had her quirks. Opening her fridge often meant finding nothing but mayo, eggs, and protein powder a questionable take on sustenance. She could effortlessly recall obscure Arabic vocabulary and intricate nuclear data, yet somehow, song lyrics and movie lines always escaped her—as did carrying a recognizable tune.

But above all, Jen loved without limits . She felt deeply, boldly, and wholly and remained fiercely loyal to those she held close. She would drop everything, driving ten hours just to spend a fraction of that time with you—because for her, love was measured in presence, not minutes.

She leaves behind a legacy of service, love, and grit—a testament to a life lived with intensity, purpose, and steadfast devotion. Though she is gone, her light will never fade in the hearts of those who knew her.

We will miss our Indonesian born, Texas raised, Vietnamese, Arabic-speaking, missile technician, pet sitting, esthetician, aspiring nurse, government contractor, reader, photographer, and hockey-obsessed beauty.

She is survived by her loving family: her sisters, Nana Dien and Emma Vo; her cherished nephew, Kai Vo; her mother, Huong Dien; and her stepfather, Buoi Mai. She was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Kevin Mai.

She also leaves behind her treasured animal companions: Samir the Moroccan cat, Kayden, and Chomps, who brought her endless joy and comfort.

In addition to her family, she was deeply grateful for the unwavering support of her dear friends: Desiree, Letuan, Elsa, Daron, Lexi, Carby, Shaq, Nushi and Mario, Sofia, Emily and Tommy, Obi, Vicky, Amanda, Gyneth, Phil, David, Carrie, Lluvia, Isabel, and many others who stood by her side. Their kindness, love, and encouragement gave her strength through life’s challenges.