I still can't believe that you have left this world. You always moved forward to achieve your goals, you were always studious and a perfectionist, and you were always positive and smiling. Most of all, you were the nicest and most thoughtful person I knew. Whenever you went shopping in your teens, you would always go out of your way to buy me some clothes as well! When I told my friends about this, they said you were the most thoughtful sister I could ever have! Even after moving to America when you got married, you still always cared about me and our parents.

I have always been proud to have you as an older sister, and I always will be. This past year must have been very difficult for you. I can't imagine what you went through. 

Thank you for everything. Don't worry about mom and dad, I will take care of them. Rest assured, I will love Ellie and Ken just as my own child. If you can live your life over again, please still be my older sister. But for now, rest in peace. I love you.

Dear Nguyen family
Saying farewell to someone you care about is never easy. Even though Saori and I only saw each other at work, I treasured the times we crossed paths. She was a good, gentle, caring person and I will be forever grateful to have met her. 
Sometimes we would take a moment to catch up on our families. When I asked her how the children were doing, her face would light up. She would tell me all about their accomplishments. I could tell how very proud she was of them.  
Saori will be immensely missed by everyone that knew her. May you find comfort in the shared memories, love, and strength of family and friends. 
My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. Please accept my heartfelt sympathies for your loss.

First, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Saori’s family. I also wanted to take this opportunity to share a lasting tea drinking addiction that I developed thanks to Saori.

I had the privilege of briefly working with Saori shortly after I was hired at INX in late October of 2023. My fondest memory of Saori was the day when Saori got me hooked on VAHDAM tea from India! I remember like yesterday; I walked into the breakout room and smelled the Tea she was preparing. I was going to prepare some tea for myself because I was not feeling well. I was going to use a generic brand of tea. That’s when Saori told me to accompany her to her desk and she gave me the last tea bag that she had in the original package from a company called “VAHDAM” India. The tea from India was far better than what I am used to. I have since been purchasing various other tea bags online from Vahdam.com. 

Thanks, Saori for introducing me to great tea! You will be missed by all of us who had the opportunity to work with you. Mine was brief, but I have a lasting memory because of the experience. Rest in peace my friend.

Dear Saori,

We are heartbroken beyond words to hear of your passing.
The image that keeps coming to mind is your bright, cheerful face with your bob haircut, chatting away with such energy and joy.

So many memories from our high school and university days come flooding back.
Watching DVDs and snacking at sleepovers, getting our ears pierced together, going ice skating, and talking endlessly about our favorite idols — each of those moments feels so vivid and precious.

Even after you moved far away, we always believed we’d see you again whenever you came back home. We never doubted that, even as time passed and we all grew older.
It’s so hard to accept that you’ve left us so soon.
We just wish we had one more chance to see you, to talk with you again.

We will never forget you.
Thank you for everything — for your laughter, your kindness, and for being such a bright part of our lives.
Please rest peacefully now.

With all our love,
Your high school friends

Mutsuko, Maki, Kumi, Kazumi, Michiyo, Mikayo, Noriko (Furukawa), Noriko (Fujita), Natsuko

Dear Saori san,
I never forget that you gave me a lot of kind helps and smiles like a friend, old sister and boss when i worked in Chicago from 2009 to 2015.
I cannot say thank you enough that you grow me up as person. 
I would have like to work with you  again.  thank you.
Shunsuke Onoue

Dear Aunt Saori 

I never got to tell you this.. As a graduate of my elementary school, I was going to give a speech at my graduation. I had to practice and that included formal practices or in formal wear. When I got on that stage.. I was thinking of you.. I knew that you weren’t going to make it, that you would never see your next birthday, that you weren’t going to get more flowers. I cried, I never gave the speech on that day, because I was scared. To lose you. And now you’re gone. I wanted to dedicate my speech to you, and how you’ve impacted my life and I know that at the end of the day, you would be overjoyed that I gave that speech, that I carried on and did what I needed to do. 

Thank you aunt saori, Thank you for being a wonderful person and a good aunt to me and my siblings.

OBITUARY

Saori Kawata Nguyen

October 6, 1971 – June 17, 2025

Glueckert Funeral Home

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