Ba Thi Trinh

Mrs. Ba Trinh was a devoted wife, daughter, and mother. Born on February 8, 1928, in mainland China, her father passed away when she was three months old. At the age of one, her mother took her on a train and migrated to South Vietnam. Vietnam was where she grew up and met her husband, Dan To, whom she was married to for over 70 years. Ba Trinh was not highly educated but worked hard to support and provide for her family. She managed the family’s dry cleaning business, that had expanded services in tailoring, and a convenience store in the family’s hometown of CanTho, Vietnam. She had 12 biological children but only six survived, and an adopted daughter.

In 1979, she bravely fled Vietnam in the middle of the night, on a small ship with her seven children and their families, in pursuit of freedom in America. Her husband stayed behind to maintain the family businesses. With help from different churches and the Red Cross, she and her family safely and successfully made it to America. Without her husband, she was the sole provider for her family during the journey to America, and stayed strong until they found a sponsor. She was reunited with her husband one year after she arrived in America. Together, they made Virginia their home and this was where she lived with her family for over 40 years. Her husband was the backbone of the To Family, but she was the bridge and heart that kept the family together with love.

She was a beloved mother to her seven children, a proud and loving grandmother to her 12 grandchildren, and cherished by her 17 great-grandchildren. She was also respected and loved by her friends and the community.