Dieu Tat was born on November 19, 1923 in Huayuan, China, which translates to “Flower Garden” in English. Her most cherished memory of this time was spent with her father harvesting jade. She loved the surprise of breaking open a rock to find the beautiful green stone. These happy times were short lived and at an early age, Dieu and her family fled to Vietnam to escape the Chinese Civil War. In Vietnam, she helped her grandfather run a tofu store and it was here that she first met her husband, Vinh Vuong. Their marriage would be arranged by Vinh’s grandmother.
Dieu and Vinh raised their 4 sons and 4 daughters together in Saigon, Vietnam. She would stay at home with the children while her husband traveled for business to support their family. In her spare time, she enjoyed watching live opera and spending time with a community of friends who were from her hometown in China. Eventually, Dieu and her husband opened a small grocery store together. In 1975, Vietnam fell under Communist rule and their family was no longer safe. For the second time in her life, her family would be uprooted from their home due to a war. With the help of her eldest son, their family escaped Vietnam and made it to America.
Dieu and Vinh established strong roots in Washington State where their family blossomed. She found joy in raising her 12 grandchildren; letting them dream, grow and run wild with imagination. Dieu was extremely proud of them and was never shy to brag about them to anyone who would listen. When not with her grandchildren, she was often found knitting blankets and hats for them. Dieu also had a passion for gardening. She loved her flower gardens and watched them bloom every Spring.
Dieu lived a long and full life. She survived 3 wars, said goodbye to 2 places she called home, outlived 3 of her sons and in 2014, she laid her husband to rest. Dieu has experienced hardships and heartbreak but never failed to find joy. At the age of 96, Dieu Tat passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. She shared her tremendous love with all those around her and is remembered by her son, Hang and her 4 daughters, Binh, Amy, Mi and Vanna. Her legacy will continue on through her 12 grandchildren and her 12 great grandchildren.
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