Thuyền Thị Trần

Our mother was born on February 9, 1937, and spent part of her childhood in Ngan Dừa, Bạc Liêu.

She passed away surrounded by the love of her children and family, leaving behind a legacy of strength, sacrifice, compassion, and devotion.

She was the beloved daughter of a deeply spiritual Buddhist family. Her father passed away when she was only eight years old, and from a young age, she learned resilience, faith, and perseverance. She grew up alongside her older sister, two younger brothers, and her younger sister. Guided by her great-grandparents, she learned and memorized Buddhist scriptures as a child, carrying her spiritual devotion throughout her life. She practiced vegetarianism for more than 30 years as an expression of her deep respect for all living beings.

At the age of 18, she married and later moved to Rạch Sỏi, Kiên Giang, where she lived for more than 25 years. She became a mother at 19 and worked as a tailor to help her husband support their growing family.

During the 1960s, she worked side by side with her husband to build a bicycle shop named Viet Lam. The name reflected both the family’s surname and their pride in their Vietnamese heritage. Through determination, long hours, and hard work, the small family business grew into a successful and thriving shop. While helping run the business, she also devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising her children, always putting the needs of her family before her own.

She was known for her frugality, humility, and generous heart. She rarely spent money on herself, instead saving to help build the family’s first home. Her home was always open to relatives and loved ones in need of work, shelter, or support. Many family members found comfort and refuge under her roof.

By 1979, she was the proud mother of nine children: three daughters and six sons.

During one of the most difficult periods in Vietnam’s history, she made the courageous decision to let her three oldest children flee Vietnam by boat to Thailand in search of a better life. After learning they had arrived safely, she allowed two more children to escape by boat to Malaysia. Months later, with extraordinary bravery and determination, she herself fled Vietnam with her remaining four children and safely reached a refugee camp in Malaysia, while her husband stayed behind.

In 1981, she arrived in the United States, reunited with all her children, and began rebuilding their lives. The family first settled in Citrus Heights, California. Her husband was later able to flee Vietnam and reunite with the family a few years later.

As a mother raising nine children largely on her own in a new country, she carried enormous responsibilities with grace and strength. She cared for her children and, late into the night, quietly worked at her sewing machine, making clothes for others. Through years of hard work and perseverance, she achieved her dream of owning her first home in the United States.

Becoming a grandmother brought tremendous joy to her life. At the age of 53, she welcomed her first granddaughter, followed by many more beloved grandchildren. She lovingly helped care for them from infancy through their school years, surrounding them with warmth, tenderness, and unconditional love.

Her love of gardening, flowers, and animals reflected her gentle and nurturing spirit. She enjoyed traveling and experiencing the beauty of nature. Her love of music and swimming brought her joy and inspiration throughout her life.

She had 14 grandchildren, all of whom adored her deeply. Her warm smile, welcoming arms, comforting hugs, and quiet strength touched everyone who knew her. She always shared her positive energy with those she loved and often ended conversations with the phrase, “Good luck nhé.” This was her way of letting us know she was always thinking of us.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved.