Maria Huong Thu Nguyen

Maria Huong Nguyen (1960 - 2026)

With hearts full of love, gratitude, and sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Maria Huong Nguyen, at the age of 66. She was a woman of extraordinary strength, kindness, and grace.

Maria's life was guided by her five "F"s: Faith, Family, Friends, Food, and Flowers. She found her greatest joy in the time spent with loved ones. She was vibrant, resourceful, and full of life-an entrepreneurial spirit with countless talents and a deep love for nurturing both people and plants. Her radiant smile could light up any room.

Her journey was one of resilience and courage. Born in Cam Ranh, Vietnam, to Hanh Nguyen and Truong Trinh, she was the second oldest among 11 siblings. She remained close to all.

Maria faced uncertainty following the fall of Saigon. In 1980, she and her family fled in the middle of the night on a crowded fishing boat with 231 others. After seven nights at sea, they arrived in Balabac, Philippines. The indigenous people of Balabac contacted the Filipino Navy and they were brought to a refugee camp in Palawan, Philippines. In 1982, through the sponsorship of Catholic Charities, Maria and her family arrived in the United States, landing in San Francisco before settling in Amarillo, Texas.

Following in her father's footsteps, Maria began her new life working as a tailor for Levi Strauss. In 1987, she moved to Minnesota, where she built a life rooted in hard work and creativity, working as a chef in many restaurants and opening her own, Lily of the Valley on St. Paul's eastside. Over the years, she also ran a travel and money transfer business. Later in life, she took care of plants for clients throughout the Twin Cities, a role she often said was her favorite and one she wished she had discovered earlier.

Maria was the matriarch of the family. She had five children and eight grandchildren, whom she adored. She was extremely proud of all of them.

Maria's friendship had a global reach. She could be heard chatting with her friends over the phone or on FaceTime all day and sometimes into early morning hours by her children.

She also found joy in cooking for and taking care of others at family gatherings. Her egg rolls and beef potatoes were legendary.

Her deep Catholic faith guided her through her life. She dedicated her life to those in need, including helping to fund the many causes of churches here and in Vietnam.

In her free time, Maria found peace and joy in her garden, tending to flowers, battling buckthorns and weeds, and creating beauty wherever she could.

Her joyful spirit, warmth, and resilience touched everyone who knew her, and her legacy will live on through the lives she nurtured and the love she gave so freely.

Maria is survived by her children, Linh Buoen (Justin), Tuan Hoang, Quynh McDermott, Phong Hoang (Tran) and Xuan Hoang; her grandchildren, Phi, Roger, Henry, Ameilya, Lilyanna, Samuel, Matt, and Liam; her siblings Anh Nguyen, Hue Nguyen, Lang Nguyen, Don Nguyen, Khang Nguyen, Phuoc Nguyen, Chi Nguyen, Hoa Nguyen, Binh Nguyen, and Chau Nguyen; preceded in death; parents Hanh and Truong, brother Dat.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

https://arb.umn.edu/memorials

From the original obituary.