Obituary of Kim-Thoa Vu

Marina - Kim-Thoa Vu passed away peacefully on February 19, 2015 at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren. She was born in Vientiane, Laos and graduated from College "Pavie de Vientiane" as a Physical Education and Home Economics Teacher. After 30 years of teaching in Vietnam, Kim-Thoa immigrated to the U.S. in 1975 with her family and three nieces. At the age of 55, determined to start a new life for her family, Kim-Thoa worked as a Vocational Assistant for the Indochinese Self Support Center and as a Community Resource Specialist for the Refugees Service Program of Monterey County. Fluent in five languages (Vietnamese, French, English, Thai and Laos), Kim-Thoa was able to use her language skills to help newcomers transition into their new life in the U.S. She also worked with the Youth Corps Program and as a bilingual teacher aide for the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. Her proudest accomplishment was the success with the Head Start Program for the Vietnamese children. After her second retirement at the age of 68, Kim-Thoa volunteered her time in teaching Vietnamese to the children at the Marina Library. She was passionate in helping the youngsters understand and maintain the Vietnamese language and culture. A true matriarch of the family, she taught her children and grandchildren to live a meaningful and exemplary life. Kim-Thoa was preceded in death by her husband, Dinh Ba Vu, and her son, An Vu. She is survived by her son, Luyen Vu (Sinh) of Marina; her daughters, Van-Anh Le (Peter) of Marina and Colette Van-Lan Vu Le (Khai) of Raleigh, NC; her seven grandchildren, Jonathan, Michelle, Justin, Thu-Anh, Lan-Anh, Richard and Caroline; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to her physicians of many years, Dr. Cassandra Olsen, Dr. Alan King, especially Dr. Walter Holz and their caring staff. In addition, they would like to express their sincere gratitude to her wonderful care provider team whose loving care enabled their mother to remain in her home during her final years. Lastly, they would like to thank the Hospice and VNA of Central Coast, and all the nurses and staff at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, particularly Tonya and Carolyn, for their support during this difficult time. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 23, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Mission Mortuary, 450 Camino El Estero, Monterey, CA 93940. Funeral Mass will take place at San Carlos Cathedral, 500 Church St., Monterey, CA 93940 on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at San Carlos Cemetery, 792 Fremont Street, Monterey, CA 93940.