Nguyen Thi Kim Nghia, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at 6:07 a.m. on November 14, 2025, in Richland, Washington. She was 97 years old.

Nghia was born on June 29, 1928 in Ha Nam Phu Ly, Northern Vietnam, to parents Nguyen Van Khoai and Nguyen Thi Pheo. She was the second of five children, cherished sister to Luong Thanh Phong, Nguyen Thi Quy, Nguyen Van Nghe, and Nguyen Van Thu.

At the age of 12, Nghia moved with her mother to Dalat, Vietnam, where her mother worked for a French family. Though this meant leaving behind her father and siblings, she embraced her new life with resilience and grace. At 18, she married Vo Thanh, and together they built a loving family. She welcomed her first child at 19 and eventually became the devoted mother of seven.

Nghia was a resourceful and determined woman who built a life through hard work and creativity. After her third child was born, she reunited with her brothers by bringing them to Dalat to live with her family. Her home became a warm and welcoming place, not only for her loved ones but also for boarding students from the nearby university. In 1962, Nghia opened Kim Long Jewelry Store (Golden Dragon), which she successfully ran until 1975, when political changes forced her to close the business. That same year, she and her husband relocated with five of their children to Saigon, seeking safety and stability.

In 1979, Nghia and her husband made the courageous decision to leave Vietnam with three of their children. They spent time in the Pulau Tengah refugee camp in Malaysia before arriving in the United States on September 30, 1980, where they reunited with their eldest daughter in Richland, Washington. While living in Richland, Nghia lovingly cared for her grandchildren and worked part-time at the family’s French bakery, The Golden Croissant. From that day forward, she dedicated her life to caring for her children, grandchildren, and extended family, always offering love, wisdom, and support. Nghia’s life was a testament to perseverance, generosity, and devotion to family. She loved people, and people loved her. She taught herself English by watching action movies, soccer, and football. Her favorite team was the Dallas Cowboys, simply because she loved their uniforms, and her favorite quarterback was Josh Allen. She also enjoyed watching game shows like Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and The Price Is Right. In the last decade of her life, she found joy in playing Four Color cards – her memory may have faded, but she remained a true card shark until her final days.

She leaves behind seven devoted children, 14 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 2 adopted children.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Vo Thanh, and her siblings.

Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Her legacy of kindness, resilience, and love for family will continue to inspire generations to come.