Jaclyn (Mai) Pittman, age 67, a longtime resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away on the morning of Friday, May 13th, 2022, after a short, but courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by those she loved.
Mai was born on May 15, 1954 in Nha Be Province, in the then Republic of South Vietnam, where she was raised along with her eleven brothers and sisters by their father Tran Van Tien and mother Le Thi Nghiep.
Mai was working as a dining services employee supporting United States Army elements at Cat Lai, South Vietnam when she met the love of her life, James O. (Jim) Pittman Jr. It was love at first sight for Jim when he saw her walking to work one day, but it was months before Mai was convinced that he would be the man to spend the rest of her life with. In time, their relationship blossomed and in November, 1971, Mai left South Vietnam for the United States to marry Jim and start life in her new country.
On February 12th, 1972, Jim and Mai married, and she grew into the most outstanding wife, mother, grandmother, and friend that anyone could ask for. She was a pillar of strength and courage, worked hard, and valued her time with family and friends. As Jim pursued a military career, they traveled to different duty stations, some requiring long and frequent separations. It was during these times that she exemplified the spirit, determination, and self-reliance that enabled Jim to complete a military career of over thirty-two years,. He would say that everything he had achieved in life was because of Mai and the sacrifices she had made.
Mai loved flowers, and her name in Vietnamese translates to flower. Her gardens and floral displays were the envy of the neighborhood and her cooking skills were second to none. Nobody could make Vietnamese cuisine like Mai. Her life was full of adventures that involved travels to Asia, Europe, South America, and throughout the USA. She had a heart of gold and made friends all over the world, but it was her family that she lived for every day of her life. Mai loved her family deeply, and because of her loyalty, sacrifices, and commitment to family we have memories that will never be forgotten. God had a bigger purpose in taking her for she was a unique gem that touched the lives of many.
Mai is survived by her mother, Le Thi Nghiep of Saigon, Vietnam, her spouse, Colonel (Ret) James O. Pittman Jr. of Colorado Springs, two loving daughters, Nicole (Greg) Faeh of Kalispell, Montana and Maren (Shawn) Swain of Castle Rock. Colorado. Her five grandchildren who she loved with all her heart, Alexis and Stephen Faeh, of Kalispell, MT. and Katherine Novicoff, Charlotte, and Regan Swain of Castle Rock, CO.; two brothers in California, Tran Van Dang and Tran Van Gung, brother Tran Van Tai of Columbia, South Carolina, brother Davis Xa Que of Saint Louis, MO.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who she considered family in Vietnam and across the world. She was preceded in death by her father, Tran Van Tien, and three sisters and five brothers of Vietnam.
Funeral Services will be held at Swan-Law Funeral Home, 501 North Cascade, Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 11:30 am, Saturday, May 28th, 2022. Mai requested that her ashes be spread in the waters of Hawaii where a celebration of life will be conducted at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can also be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.
“I am not gone. I remain here beside you. Just in a different form. Look for me in your heart, for there you will find me in our love that will forever live on. In those moments when you feel alone, look for me in your thoughts and there you will find me in sweet memories that burn strong. Every time a tear forms in your beautiful eyes, look up to the heavens, and there you will see me smiling down from God’s glorious skies.”
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Swan-Law.com for the Pittman family.
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