Nan Zaya

Her Father was Oo Chit Maung and her Mother was Daw Myat Thet. She was the youngest of four siblings, Daw Htar Htar Yee, Daw Mya Mya Thee, Daw Tin Tin Oo, and Daw Kyi Kyi Htay. The family nickname is Ma Kin Htwe. Daw Kyi Kyi Htay was changed later by her family. The reason she obtained the name Daw Kyi Kyi Htay was because she loved acting. She would sing and act the movie Lay Nar Yee by Kyi Kyi Htay. Born on October 31st of 1949 in Nan Daw Ya Yat Kwat, Sagaing Myo. She played basketball and soccer. She was a tomboy and mostly befriended boys in the neighborhood She loved to read and write in her spare times. She would just read on the side of the road when she got a new book. In school her teacher would call her Kyi Kyi Htay Tin Nwet Yi. At school everybody loved her. She got along with everyone. Her grandfathers were Oo Tin, Oo Nwet and Oo Taw. She was loved by all of her peers and she was a great daughter and sister.

Kyi Kyi Htay was involved in the uprising against Burmese regime in 1988. She was the president in the district of Mhor Chee. She fled Burma in 1988 to Karen Rebel (KNU) at border of Thailand and Burma. She actively works with many of Burmese students group (ABSDF) who also fled Burma at border from 1988 to 1994. She played a role of the mother to many who didn't have the parents of their own. She is known for her kindness and willingness to help everyone so they call her Amoe (mom). In 1994 she left the KNU and went to Bangkok Thailand to apply to be political refugees. Once she was approved to live in Thai's refugees camp for Burmese students (ABSDF). She arrived in Colorado state on June 3rd of 1998 with her husband Oo Saw Zin Aung and her three children (Zaya Maung, Aye Mar Nwe Oo, and Bathenee Htwe).

Even though she lived in the USA she was actively involved with ABSDF group fighting against current regime until death for Burma's freedom and democracy.

She was an excellent mother and a teacher. She loved her family more than anything in the world. Doesn't matter how hard life is. She always had smiles on her face and did everything in her power to keep her family happy and together. She also was a big believer and loved God unconditionally. She would help those in need if she was and poor and had little to give. She was a role model for her family, had sacrificed everything for her family and her country selflessly.

Lastly she was well known in the Burmese community (ABSDF) as Democracy Kyi Kyi Htay. A nickname given to her by all the freedom fighting leaders in Thai Burma's border. We are proud to be the children of a woman who was brave and loved by many.

Her legacy will never be forgotten.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Saw Zin Aung; daughters, Aye Mar Nwe Say (Lah Bwe Say) of New Bern, Chaw Su Blair (James Enos Blair) of Cape Carteret; son, Batheny Htwe (Marietha Htwe) of Boise, Idaho; grandchildren, David Say, Ronan Htwe, Zayer Thway, Zayer Thet, Christopher Lin and Aleayha Stephan; and sisters, Htar Htar Yee and A May Owne.

Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Sunday, June 19, 2022 at Cotten Funeral Home with Rev. Saw Ler Htoo officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 Noon until service time. Burial will follow at New Bern Memorial Cemetery.

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