Over the years, Ba and Ông Khai would watch me during the summers and school holidays well into my middle school years. My parents would drop me off at their Hong Gia exercise  class nearly every day. I’d sit and watch them as they stood at the front of the class, clearly representing the best and most well-respected students the other students looked up to and followed. While Ông Khai towered over everyone, Ba Khai had this friendly, but mentor-like air about her. They were leaders in their own right. They’d drive me to either Quang Trung after for phố or to buy banh mi. If it was banh mi, we’d get back to their townhouse and I’d eat banh mi stuffed with cha lua, cha bong, and soy sauce for breakfast right at the table in front of the entrance. Ông Khai would sit across using his white tray with red, yellow, and blue stars, while Ba Khai would sit next to me. If it was a weekday, Ông Khai would dress for work and carry his suitcase out the door with him. Ba Khai and I would stay home and watch TV, talk, eat, do chores/homework, and nap. Lunch would be rice, soy sauce, diced cha lua, and cha bong. We’d pull out a foldable wooden table and two chairs (red and blue with cartoons and stripes on them). We’d clean up after and many times, she’d cut oranges for me mixed with sugar. The sugar would be in a giant yellow jar by the kitchen wall, near the window. We’d pull out the mats for me to sleep on, while she’d nap on the couch. She’d yell at me to stop watching TV and go to sleep, seeming to have eyes in the back of her head and always knowing when I’d twist and turn from restlessness, or was about to reach for the remote again. Sometimes she’d yell at me when I used couch pillows as a sled to slide down the stairs. Later on, she’d gift me red envelopes for Têt, and I’d attend Emma’s and Garrett’s birthday parties. A massive part of my childhood was spent with her, and it seems she’s always been there since the beginning. Love you and thankful for the good memories.

Ba Khai and Ông Khai started babysitting me when I was about two. I wore this exact dress to Cô Tam and Chu Sau’s wedding, chasing after Ba Khai and toddling around the bride and groom during their dance. I remember Chu Sau picking me up and letting me dance with them.

My family and I consider Ba Khai, her late husband Ông Khai, Cô Tam, Chứ Sau, Emma, and Garrett not just close friends, but family. We shared a close bond since I was two, and making it 26-27 years since then and counting. My parents viewed Ông and Ba khai as older siblings, Cô Tam and Chu Sau as their niece and nephew, and Emma and Garrett as grandniece and grandnephew. While I considered them grandparents, aunt and uncle, and cousins. We’ve wished each other well over the years with Têt, mother’s and father’s days, and birthdays. All along Ông and Ba khai have watched over me and hoped for my success in life, song with success for my parents and brother. I remembered talking to Ba Khai about coming to my graduation for my master’s degree a few years back, but she was too weak and I’ll to attend in person by the time I received my degree. Here is my final photo with her when I visited her post-graduation. I’ll treasure this memory and miss her always. My pseudo-grandma, love you, I hope you’re healthy and happy now with Ông Khai. I’ll think of you and him often.

My Beloved Mom,

There will never be enough words to express how much love, gratitude, and admiration that I will forever hold in my heart for you.  You were generous, selfless, humble and loving.  You were the embodiment of strength and sacrifice. Always thinking of everyone else (Dad, your grandchildren- Emma & Garrett, me or Sau) before yourself.  You taught me all the life lessons I needed to become a nurturing and loving mother.

Though you will be eternally honored and remembered as an exceptional woman, wonderful wife, supportive sister and adoring grandmother....

I will forever be your little girl, holding your hand.... and you will always be my Mommy.

With heavy heart I write that my beloved sister will be missed deeply and always be in my heart. Her free spiritedness,  kindness, gentleness, and forgiveness when she gave me guidance and advice to keep my head up high no matter what life challenges me with.  I will always cherished and honored her openness, love, and support to me over the years.
May you rest in peace as you join your life partner and best friend and be free of pain and suffering 
With Respect and Gratitude

OBITUARY

Nhung Thi Hoang

February 10, 1944 – April 3, 2025

Peek Funeral Home

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