Mai Diep Lindley

Vibrant, Generous, Confident, Charming, Loving, Caring, Warm, Genuine, Smart, Selfless and Brave are the words that best describe Mai Diep Lindley. She was an amazing woman who was loved by all that knew her.

Mai Diep Lindley was born in Nam Dinh, Vietnam on July 1, 1945. Her parents were Ngoc Mai Ha and Nga Nguyet Nguyen. She is the 3rd born of nine children and the oldest daughter. The Ngoc Ha family moved to Dalat in South Vietnam in 1951 to escape the Communist that were ruling Northern Vietnam. Around that time Mai Diep was enrolled in a prestigious French Primary School, Lycee Yersin Dalat. There she learned to speak fluent French in addition to her native Vietnamese language. In 1961 Mai Diep's mother passed away from a stroke while pregnant with the family's 10th child. Being the eldest daughter Mai Diep assumed the role of mother to her younger siblings. At the age of 18, Mai Diep moved to Saigon and found work at a French company called “Chargeurs Maritimes Reunis” on Yen Do Boulevard. They needed someone who could speak both French and English to work with customers. Her brother Kim had seen the advertisement in the newspaper and she went for an interview. She was hired for the job immediately on the same day that she arrived in Saigon and she started the job the very next day. Mai Diep kept the bare minimum of her paychecks for food and gas and sent the remainder home to her father to help care for her siblings.

Shortly after starting her first job, she was noticed by executives at Pan American Airlines and was offered a job as a ticket agent at the world's most prestigious airline. While working at Pan Am she met Marlin Kemp Lindley. He worked as the manager of the ticketing department and served as Mai Diep's boss. After months of avoiding this American man, Mai Diep and Marlin's courtship began. They were married in 1971 in Vietnam and moved back to the United States, leaving behind Mai Diep's family in Dalat. Mai Diep left all her earnings with her father to help the family financially and started a new life in Phoenix, Arizona with Marlin. Just a year later on June 1, 1972, Mai Diep gave birth to her only child, Leta Mai Lindley. While it was difficult to be so far from her native country, Mai Diep embraced her new home and made every effort to adapt to the United States and make new friends.

1975 is marked by the fall of Saigon and many Vietnamese tried to flee the country. Five members of Mai Diep's family, her father, Kim, Khue, Giang and Chau as well as spouses and children, were able to escape Vietnam and come to the United States to start a new life. A total of 14 family members arrived in the United States – half arrived in June 1975 and the rest arrived a few months later. All at one point lived with Mai Diep and Marlin as they tried to settle into this new culture. This was a happy reunion for Mai Diep's family as many wondered if they would ever be reunited with her after she left Saigon. It was also a difficult time as Mai Diep tried to help her family settle in the United States with housing, jobs and teaching them basic skills to survive in their new life. Together with Marlin, they worked tirelessly to help Mai Diep's family adjust.

Mai Diep and Marlin went on to sponsor Mai Diep's young brother Tien to come to the United States and he arrived late in the summer of 1975. A short time later Kim and his family moved on to Michigan as his former employer in Vietnam, UpJohn Pharmaceuticals, gave him a position in Kalamazoo. After Kim settled in Kalamazoo, her father, Giang and Tien joined Kim's family in Michigan and Chau moved later to be with them. Khue settled in Phoenix and remained close to Mai Diep.

In 1976 Mai Diep studied floral design with Phil Raloda and went on to be an amazing designer for much of her life. After a short real estate career, Marlin went to work for FTD – Florist Transworld Delivery, which would bring their small family to San Diego, California in 1977. They resided in Oceanside, California for 8 years and Mai Diep enjoyed the cooler weather of the coast versus the strong heat of Arizona.

During these years Mai Diep and Marlin filed papers to sponsor the remaining members of Mai Diep's family – Lam Mai Ha and Bao Mai Ha. Lam and his family arrived on November 8, 1985. Bao and his family arrived in June 1986. In 1989 Diep's mother's ashes were brought to the United States which completed the migration of the Ngoc Ha family to the U.S. with the exception of Diep's younger brother Phuc Mai Ha who was deemed missing in action after trying to escape from the Vietnamese re-education camp. Again Mai Diep and Marlin took them into their home and worked to help Lam and Bao settle in the new country.

In 1986 Marlin and Mai Diep moved to Carlsbad, just miles from their house on Morse street to ensure that their daughter would go to a good high school. After years of designing and managing many flower shops around San Diego County, Mai Diep used her expertise to own and operate her own shop Solana Beach Florist. Many of her former co-workers came to work for Mai Diep as she was a fair and kind employer. It wasn't long after that she was diagnosed with kidney failure and began dialysis treatments while waiting for a kidney transplant. It was a very difficult and physically draining time in her life and sadly Marlin and Mai Diep decided to sell Solana Beach Florist. It was time to focus on her health and hope for a matching kidney. During this time Marlin was suffering health problems of his own due to long time heart related issues.

On October 12, 1992 Mai Diep's husband Marlin died in the hospital after surgery to repair a leaking heart valve – he was just 53 years old. This was a most difficult time for Mai Diep - Leta was away at school attending the University of Arizona, she lost her husband unexpectedly and was fighting for her own health.

Mai Diep remained on dialysis for four long years. During this time she was introduced to Quoc Pham through a former classmate. Quoc lived in San Jose, California and they became acquainted over the telephone. Their love blossomed even though they were miles apart and Quoc came to Carlsbad often to visit Mai Diep. On Easter Sunday of 1996 Mai Diep received a phone call from UCSD Medical Center that there was a perfect kidney match for her. She traveled to the hospital and underwent a successful kidney transplant that would give her a second life. In her mind it was a miracle and she lived every following day as such.

On February 3, 1996 Mai Diep's daughter Leta married her college sweetheart Matt Plagmann and she gained a new son. A year later, in February 1997 Quoc and Mai Diep were married. This began a beautiful second phase of Mai Diep's life. Their life together was filled with travel and friends and connecting with the Vietnamese community. Mai Diep had traveled full circle, coming back to her roots and finding herself again.

In 2001 Mai Diep's beloved father passed away at the age of 89. Once again, Mai Diep stepped up to lead the family during this difficult time. This led to the relocation of the two eldest brothers Kim and Khue to California so the entire family could live together in Southern California.

March 6, 2004 Cole Michael Plagmann was born. He would be Mai Diep's first grandchild and the light of her life. Shortly after Cole was born, Mai Diep returned to Vietnam. This would mark the first time she had been back on Vietnamese soil since she left in 1971. She was thrilled to see that old neighbors were still there and remembered her family. She enjoyed once again the beauty of her homeland. On this trip she was also able to reunite with family members that she hadn't seen in over five decades.

Two and a half years later Mai Diep's grand-daughter Reese Lynn Plagmann was born and once again she was filled with joy over this new addition. Mai Diep and Quoc visited Florida several times a year to spend time with Leta and her family. These visits brought Mai Diep much happiness.

The last eighteen years of Mai Diep's life were truly her golden years as she was able to spend quality time with her family as well as doing things that she enjoyed. She studied the teachings of Buddah and Christ, learned to hula, knitted, painted, and practiced yoga. Mai Diep saw no limits to the things she could learn, accomplish and enjoy. She was also very concerned with the well-being of those still in Vietnam. She made it a point to send money back to her home country to benefit those less fortunate. From donating to orphanages, poor elderly and helping Vietnamese students, her generosity knew no end. Also, during these years Mai Diep was also able to reconnect with her high school classmates and as well as her former Pan Am co-workers. They would often get together to reminisce about their youth and good times. Mai Diep also had the opportunity to travel to France, a long time dream was finally fulfilled and she was thrilled to be able to immerse herself in the culture she had studied as a child. She also traveled to Quebec to visit cousins because it was important to her to see these family members after so many years. She found great joy in welcoming people into her home and life and was a wonderful hostess to her many friends and family.

Mai Diep had found a peace in her life and enjoyed each day to the fullest. Despite the hardships that she had endured through her life, Mai Diep saw everything in her life as a blessing. She saw the good in everyone and was known as a leader, peacemaker and was the “magic glue” that held her family together. She was the matriarch and proudly represented the family. If the Ngoc Ha family was a country, Mai Diep would be the Secretary of State! Throughout her entire life, Mai Diep sacrificed herself for the well being of her family. Most of all, she was proud of her brothers and sisters and the life they had made for themselves here in the United States. Each went on to own their own homes and have successful careers. All of her nieces and nephews went on to receive college degrees, marry and start families of their own. Mai Diep made a large impact on those around her and she was adored by family and friends alike.