Sarah Hoang Pham

I know this is a question that everyone is asking, so I will answer it first.

On Wednesday, July 15th, I arrived in Austin to check up on my baby sister, Sarah. She had been undergoing treatment for Lyme disease and arthritis for the past two years. Her medications had been increasing in potency to manage her pain. A couple of them will suppress her immune system. Most recently, she said that she had taken an at-home COVID test and it was positive. I knew she was sick, but I found her much worse than I’d expected. I immediately took her to St David’s North Austin ER. She was given fluids, oxygen, antibiotics, and many other medications. X-rays were taken that showed a cloud in her lungs. Doctors' initial diagnosis was pneumonia, but they admit they didn’t know what was in her lungs. One antibiotic after another was tried with no effect. They would really like to do a bronchoscopy, but her oxygen dependency was too high. It climbed from 2 to 12 overnight.

Sarah had selected a handful of family members and friends whom she felt comfortable with to look after her in the hospital. We took turns caring for her 24/7, making sure she had everything and anything she needed. We called on our families, friends, and prayer groups here in the US and in Vietnam to pray for a miracle. We wanted more than anything to walk out of St. David’s Hospital with Sarah arm-in-arm with us. But we were not selfish enough to demand our own will. Sarah was in the hands of her Lord, Jesus. God’s will be done, was our humble prayer. Sarah too has a will. In the course of three weeks, her oxygen dependency increased and decreased, but mostly increased until it maxed out and she was intubated. Her last two days were heartbreaking for us as we realized God was answering our prayers. Sarah was going home with Jesus. She wants to be back in the arms of her mother who had preceded her three years earlier. She will also be greeted by her brother, Hung, sister, Lieu, nephew, Alex, and many cousins. Our hearts are broken because of our loss, but it also rejoices for Sarah. She’s no longer in pain, and she’s with people she loves and who loves her.

For some of us, our new relationship with Sarah, where she’s not there, will be difficult. We’ll take comfort in knowing that our faith will bring us back together one day. I know that my father will miss her medical care and company every day. My sister, Van, talks to Sarah almost every day on her drive home from work. Lien, my niece, and Sarah go out for dinner most Friday evenings. It’s their TGIF. Me, I’ll miss not going to Yellowstone this Labor Day week with Sarah. It’s already cancelled. I’ll miss not having her on our annual sisters vacation next year. Our Alaska cruise is already booked. I’ll also miss not having her attend concerts with me at Dickies Arena or Broadway shows at the Bass. But most of all, I’ll miss talking to her and seeing her face-to-face on this side of Heaven. Farewell, my dear sister. We love you and will miss you very much. ❤️💕🥰😘

How well do you know Sarah?

As an older sister, I have known Sarah all her life. But I’ll admit there are pockets of her life that I don’t know well. I’ll share what I know and hope that you’ll share what you know, and together all of us will know her better.

To be continued……

Sarah’s Celebration of Life

Sarah had chosen cremation. In lieu of flowers, you’re welcome to make a contribution to

Nhà Tình Thương Hương La

English: Huong La Charity House

This is a handicap, blind, or deaf orphanage in north Vietnam that Sarah and my mom Support. My family visited this orphanage in May and saw that it is run by very caring nuns. We are trying to set up a GoFundMe so you can give online.

More to be written….

Visitation will be held at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Ih-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660, US, on August 21, 2026, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

A Prayer Service will take place at Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church, 1107 E Yager Ln, Austin, TX 78753, US, on August 21, 2026, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church, 1107 E Yager Ln, Austin, TX 78753, US, on August 22, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.