Michelle Thu Cowart

Michelle Thu Cowart, age 78, of Falls Church, Virginia, departed this life in the early afternoon of 01 June 2026 at VHC Health in Arlington. She had been struggling for months with several chronic conditions, and is now at peace.

Michelle was born 01 August 1947 in Hai Phong, Vietnam. Her father, Nguyen Viet Ru, and her mother Truong Thi Tuyet, moved their family to the south when Vietnam was divided in 1954. Michelle married Clayton Cowart, of the staff of the American Embassy in Saigon in 1975, and was his loving and beloved wife for more than 50 years, supporting and working beside him through ten overseas tours. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Lien and brother Tuan. Michelle is survived by her husband, her beloved daughter and granddaughter Christina Cowart and Maya Richter of Falls Church, her brother Timothy Phelps and sister Anna Nguyen of California, and the families of her brothers and sisters. Funeral arrangements will be private.

Michelle was always curious and a wonderful communicator, making new friends wherever she went. Her openness and honesty inspired immediate trust in children and pets. She quickly realized after marrying that she needed to learn to cook if she wanted to eat well. Her culinary skills became amazing, and she added to them in every country she served in. Much of her husband's professional success was underpinned by the delight of guests at Michelle's table. Her food and her wonderful smile are already missed.