Cecilia Lan Huong Clay

Cecilia Lan Huong Clay, 78, of Mission Viejo, California, passed away after a long illness on April 20, 2022. A private ceremony and celebration of life for family and friends was held at Fairhaven Memorial Services. Her remains, and the remains of her daughter, who passed away at the age of sixteen, will be lovingly spread upon the clear Pacific Ocean waters.

Cecilia was born Lan Huong Thi Nguyen in Hanoi, Vietnam, on June 8, 1943 to Khanh Van Nguyen (father) and Thu Thi Tran (mother). Her parents passed away when she was three years old. A few years later she and her brother were sent to live with an uncle, Thang Van Nguyen, of Hanoi, who was an ambassador with the French Cultural Mission.

After fleeing Saigon in April of 1975, Cecilia made her way to Camp Pendleton, California. Cecilia moved to Chicago where she worked to save money to purchase a dry-cleaning business and work as a seamstress. She eventually moved to New Orleans where she and her spouse, Son, owned several businesses, including a convenience store, dry-cleaners and laundromat. Finally, she settled in Lake Forest, California, again owning several businesses. She obtained her cosmetology license and bought a hair salon and beauty supply store. Cecilia had a flair for fashion and design. She would buy only the finest clothing and accessories. She loved and collected many types of fine art, antiques, collectibles, French perfumes, and jewelry. She kept an immaculate home where she proudly displayed her museum quality collectibles. In her spare time she enjoyed gardening. She kept her gardens filled with beautiful flowers and plants that were the envy of the neighborhood.

Cecilia was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Dai Nguyen, her daughter, Christine Johnson, and a granddaughter, Olivia Le. She is survived by her husband, Michael Clay of Mission Viejo, former spouse Richard Johnson of Thailand, children Dr. Long (Leah) Le of Sugarland, Texas, Rose (Tri) Ho of Tustin, California, Frank Le of Laguna Niguel, California, Laura (Gavino) Clay of Santa Ana, California, and Anthony Clay of Seattle, Washington. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Bich Nga Ngo of Mission Viejo, California, nephew, Dien Nguyen of Costa Mesa, California, niece, Christine (Anthony) Do and their children, Chloe and Austin of Mission Viejo, California, and grandchildren Nathan, Taylan and Tristan Le, Nicholas, Nadine and Luke Ho, and Alexis, Jade and Frank Jr. Le. She is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins throughout several states and countries.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Cecilia Clay’s name to the American Red Cross (redcross.org) and/or the Leukemia Research Foundation (allbloodcancers.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fairhavenmemorialservices.com for the Clay family.

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