Nguyen Dao Tho

Tho Dao Nguyen (Nguyễn Đào Thơ) passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on November 15, 2015, in Woodland Hills, California. She will be remembered lovingly by her husband of 67 years, Thanh Quoc Do, and her daughters Thuy Do, Van Do, and Monique Do. She was also a beloved grandmother and great-grandmother.

Born on March 21, 1927 in Ra̟ch Giá, Vietnam, her name can be interpreted in several ways, including “graceful peach blossom” and “poetic lyrics.” She spoke fluent French and English, in addition to her native tongue of Vietnamese. Tho was a practicing Roman Catholic (baptismal name Marie Elisabeth), and she played the mandolin and had a beautiful soprano singing voice in her youth. She enjoyed knitting and crochet and was an accomplished seamstress, having made beautiful school and holiday dresses for her daughters when they were children.

She met her husband while employed in Saigon at the National Treasury of Vietnam. They were the champion table tennis team at work. During her time in Vietnam, she was also a protégée of the then Minister of Interior. Tho moved to the United States in 1985 with her mother, her husband, and her oldest daughter, joining her two younger daughters who had moved here several years before.

Education was always a priority for her. She graduated from a Catholic high school in Vietnam, operated by nuns. Once she moved to the US, Tho enjoyed taking courses at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California, and she obtained an AA degree and Teacher Aide Diploma from the International Correspondence Schools.

Tho was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and one brother. She is survived by her younger brother, Paul Nguyễn Công Tánh, who lives in Australia. Her remaining family and friends will miss her dearly, among them several nieces and nephews in Belgium, Australia, Vietnam, California and Texas.

Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. - Proverbs 31:25

Donations may be made in Tho Dao Nguyen's honor to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at www.info-komen.org/donateonline

The Dignity funeral network provides Bereavement Travel rates for those making use of airline, hotel or car rental arrangements. Please call (800) 224-4177 and provide reference number 4800 for bereavement travel discounts.