Phoua Moua

Phoua has one brother: Chong Lao, and two sisters: Vang and Lou; all of them have passed away.

Phoua’s father Naikong Xing Fong Moua passed away on August 23, 1987, in Marysville, Ca., and her biological mother Yer Thao passed away in 1945 at Phakeo Village, Laos. Also, her stepmother Lee Yang passed away on July 10, 2001, in Marysville, Ca.

In 1960, Phoua Moua married Nhia Neng Yang, the elder son of Tong Pao Yang and Mao Vang. She bears no child. She adopted Wang Leng Yang and raised as her own after his mother Youa Vang remarried Chang Teng Yang in April 1971.

Following the end of the Secret War in Lao 1975, Phoua and her husband Nhia Neng Yang fled to Thailand. They left Ban Naxou, Laos on June 25, 1975, and arrived in Nongkhai refugee camp, Nongkhai, Thailand on June 29, 1975. They resided in Nongkhai refugee camp for 3 ½ years and then relocated to Ban Vinai refugee camp in November 1979. While in Thailand, many relatives seek resettlement in the USA to escape persecution and war, Phoua’s husband Nhia Neng Yang did not want to resettle in the U.S.A. due to various factors, including concerns about cultural differences, language barriers, and the potential for discrimination, the process of resettlement itself can be challenging and stressful, with refugees facing difficulties finding housing, employment, and navigating the complex social and legal systems of the U.S.A. Therefore, Nhia Neng Yang’s mother (Mao Vang) left Thailand to the United States with her second daughter Chao Yang and son-in-law Chue Soua Vang in February 1985. Several years after Wang Leng Yang married, his family was granted asylum under the Refugee Assistance Act of 1975 as Hmong immigrant to resettle in the United States of America. On September 31, 1987, Wang Leng Yang, his spouse and children along with his stepmom (Phoua) came to San Diego, California, U.S.A.

She left behind her husband Nhia Neng Yang and his second wife (Shoua Thao) and their children in Ban Vinai refugee camp. When Ban Vinai refugee camp was closed in 1992, her husband Nhia Neng Yang and his second wife and their children moved to a Buddhist Temple (Wat Thamkrabok) in the Phra Phutthabat District of Saraburi province, Thailand, with many thousands of Hmong refugees to avoid repatriation to Laos. Her husband Nhia Neng and his second wife resided in the Buddhist Temple (Wat Thamkrabok) for more than a decade and Nhia Neng Yang passed away on May 9, 2001, whom she has been married for 40 years.

Phoua Moua was trustful, dependable, humorous, and so caring. She was a kind and loving mother who played a crucial role in maintaining family unity. She provided unconditional and steadfast love and support to her family no matter what else was going on in the lives of her family members. She never let conflict or stress in the family get in the way of being the best mother and grandmother even when the times were hard, and relationships were challenging. Her actions likely fostered a sense of connection and love within the family, strengthening bonds between generations. She loved to spend quality time with her grandchildren. She also enjoys holding conversation with anyone she met and many friends everywhere she went. She was a great mother with a very good heart. She stood by her family throughout the good times and the bad. She was an individual with great strength and determination to overcome many obstacles after resettlement in the United States without her husband.

Phoua passed away due to the aging process of a natural decline in health. She peacefully passed away at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center (751 Medical Center Ct, Chula Vista, CA 91911) in San Diego, California on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 9:15AM. She was 84 years old. She is survived by her adopted son Wang Leng Yang, daughter-in-law Yeng Chang, Grandchildren: Pa Nhia Yang, Thong Yang, Chee Yang, Youa Yang, Yee Yang, Sao Yang and six great grandchildren.

She also survived by four stepbrothers, Pang Pha Moua, Xeng Pao Moua, Pheng Moua, Sou Moua in Marysville, California, and two stepsisters,

Bla & Chong Chao Yang - AK, and Mai & Boua Vang Yang - SC.

A visitation for Phoua will be held Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM at Goodbody Mortuary, 5027 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115. A visitation will occur Sunday, May 11, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, 5027 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115. A funeral will occur Monday, May 12, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 5027 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115. A graveside will occur Monday, May 12, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Greenwood Memorial Park and Mortuary, 4300 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92113.