Nguyễn Mỹ-Therese Hạnh

Hanh My Therese Nguyen is survived by her beloved daughter, Mary, parents, Mai and Tin, 2 sisters, Linh and Kim, fiancé, Woody, and many aunts, uncles and cousins, near and far. Known as Therese to most people, she was born at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland on March 28, 1976. With the exception of her first 2 years in Annapolis, Maryland, Therese resided in Houston, Texas all of her life.

Therese was a born leader and entrepreneur, helping her parents in their convenient stores and fish fry business, Mary’s father’s family shrimp boat business, and then with her Mom in the nail business. Her real world education prepared her to open a few “Regal Nails” salons that were located inside of Walmart stores. After selling the nail business, she started her career in the financial industry at World Financial Group (WFG) while taking classes at Phoenix University. After a couple of years, she left WFG for the banking business. Although she did not complete her degree, she ascended very quickly from a teller to a Branch Manager and was well respected amongst her peers and employees. She worked for Citi Bank, Wells Fargo and then subsequently BB&T and Wachovia for over 10 years.

Therese was recruited to return to WSB/WFG to fulfill her passion of building her own agency in the financial industry and obtaining that green jacket. For the last three years, she has been a Marketing Director (MD) for WFG. She became a trainer and leader in the office. She dedicated her return to WFG with the mission of teaching financial education to the general public and average person on financial necessities, including retirement options, long term care insurance and advanced directives. She worked hard and took comfort in knowing she was bettering lives by giving them valuable information that every person needs to be a readily prepared for anything, as she was for herself.

Therese lived life to its fullest as a true Texan and loved to drive, shoot guns, travel, shop, dine out (especially a good steak) and cook. She most enjoyed cooking for the people she loved. She treasured bringing her friends and family together with her cooking, knowing she was showering them with love with her delicious food. She came from a very large family – she was the oldest of the cousins on her mother’s side – so she always made it her role to bring the family together at her house, no matter how small or big it was. Therese also loved to decorate, whether it was her closet, home, her work, or even her multiple Christmas trees. She felt gratified in making things as gorgeous and beautiful as she was, inside and out.

She always made a point to be there for her parents; since she was the only daughter that remained in Houston, she felt it was her responsibility to make sure they were always taken cared for. And because she was the oldest of the three sisters, she always guided Linh and Kim in their lives, and was always there for them, despite the distance, especially in their times of need. She never hesitated to drop everything to come to their rescue. This also applied to her friends. Anyone who was blessed to be considered Therese’s close friend, she considered them family, and treated them as such. For the last two years, Therese’s friends and family saw a change in her that came from her fiancé. She finally found someone that loved her unconditionally and allowed her to be completely comfortable in her own skin. Her happiness with Woody radiated and anyone could see it from miles away. She lived a hard life and had been deprived of many experiences, but she was able to share those firsts with him: her first trip to Europe (to attend her sister’s graduation), first college football game, her first trip to Disneyworld, her first real relaxing vacation that she didn’t plan herself, her first birdie on a par 3, and so many more.

As much as everyone knew how much she loved her shoes and purses, Therese’s most valuable and prideful possession was her daughter. She held many titles throughout her careers, but the most important title was being a single working mother to Mary. Their relationship was special because they were additionally each other’s best friend. There was nothing Therese wouldn’t do for her, and there was no decision she made without Mary in her mind. Therese’s ultimate goal in life was to be surrounded by love and foster the best relationships she could have with Mary, family, friends and her true love. She left this earth having accomplished this goal being loved completely and unconditionally.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapel of Eternal Peace at Forest Park, Houston, TX.