Ngoc Tram Thi Pham

Our mother was born in 1933 in North Viet Nam. In 1954, when the country was divided at the 17th latitude, her family emigrated to South Viet Nam. She was just a young woman then but was thrown into the role of a leader for her siblings and a supporting member for her whole family. She became a teacher and later married our father who was her classmate from high school.

After starting her own family, she focused on raising her six children. At home, she was a nurturer and decider of our educational path, always made sure that we got into the best schools available. She took us to piano lessons and French schools. She helped our father’s medical practice and taught full time. All the while, she pursued a law degree and almost finished it when the fall of Saigon happened. We all endured four years under the communist regime and finally escaped in 1979. We stayed in an Indonesian refugee camp for one year where she taught us English and survival skills.

Upon arrival to California in 1980, she went back to college and earned a Bachelor’s degree while running the household, working odd jobs, and taking care of our father and us. After college, she opened her own tax accounting practice which thrived and at the same time, along with our father guided each and everyone of us to our personal achievement.

She was and always will be our cheerleader, advisor, and wellspring of strength and resilience.

She is well respected and liked by her former students.

She is cherished by all of her siblings, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is our beacon of hope.

We love you forever, Mom.