Nyi Nyi was born in Kawthaung, Myanmar on July 4, 1950. He spent his early childhood and teenage years in Kawthaung and Myeik. He worked in various industries throughout his life getting his start in the wood and coal mining industry while in Kawthaung.
Nyi Nyi attended Mawlamyine College from 1968 to 1972 where he majored in Physics and met his wife, San San Htay. They married on May 31, 1977 and began their life in Myeik where they opened a convenient store and operated a fishing business. He raised his family and was very involved in the Myeik community.
In 1996, Nyi Nyi and his family relocated to Yangon where they opened a furniture store. After retirement in 2013, he and his wife moved to the U.S to be with their children.
While in the U.S, Nyi Nyi enjoyed being with his family and especially spending time with his two granddaughters. He also took long walks to the beach because he loved the ocean and being near the water. Nyi Nyi loved to travel, especially by boat; he also had a passion for music and spent much of his leisure time playing the guitar. He enjoyed cooking for his families and friends. One of his favorite dish to cook was Myeik "Kat Kyee Kite" (fried flat noodle).
He became quite ill with pulmonary fibrosis in early 2019 and spent the last few months of his life in the hospital before and after a lung transplant. Nyi Nyi passed away peacefully on the morning of November 27, 2019 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was surrounded by his loving and supportive family throughout his hospitalization and in the last days of his life.
Nyi Nyi was known for his compassionate spirit as he always provided a helping hand to his relatives and friends. His aunt, Daw Lay Kyi who was like a mother to him, used to call him "Way Than Da Yar" (a king known for his giving spirit in Buddhist scripture) to portray his giving personality. He was loving and kind with a good sense of humor. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family and all who knew him.
Nyi Nyi is survived by wife San San Htay; son, Nyi Thura (his wife, Ei Ei Kyaw and daughter, Avalyn Thura); daughter, Chit Su Wai (her husband, Nicholas Aye and daughter, Amara Aye); brothers, Tin Win and Maung Maung Nyunt; sister, Kyu Kyu Win and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life for Nyi will be held Tuesday, December 3, 2019 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Westminster Memorial Park Mortuary, 14801 Beach Blvd, Westminster, CA 92683. A witness cremation will occur Tuesday, December 3, 2019 from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM, 14801 Beach Blvd, Westminster, CA 92683. A burial will occur Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at 3:30 PM.
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