Maria Kim-Van Thi Nguyen, 77, of Newport News, VA was called to God’s Kingdom of Heaven on August 29, 2024.
As the seventh oldest of 12 children, family was always very important to her. A devout Catholic since marrying her husband 57 years ago, Maria Kim-Van nourished her loved ones with her strong faith, unconditional love, awe-inspiring grace, and incredibly delicious homemade foods. She made sure that no one ever left her house hungry.
In her lifetime Maria Kim-Van faced many challenges, such as escaping from her native Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon to settle in Newport News almost 50 years ago and fighting a valiant battle with ovarian cancer in recent years. Nevertheless, her tenacity and courage always shone through the darkness. Now she’ll be shining brightly in heaven through the Perpetual Light.
Maria Kim-Van is survived by her devoted husband, Kiet Quoc Nguyen; her daughters Cathy Pham (Thai) and Debbie Gordon (Steve); her sons Peter Nguyen (Donna) and Angelo Nguyen; grandchildren Kristina Pham (Mike Biana), Maria Pham, Matthew Gordon, Mark Gordon, Abigail Nguyen, and Emma Nguyen; her sisters Kim-Anh Thi Nguyen, Kim-Hong Thi Nguyen, Kim-Yen Thi Nguyen (Nhut Chau), Kim-Huong Thi Nguyen (Van), and Kim-Cuong Nguyen (Hung Le); brother Huy Nguyen (Nang); her in-laws; and countless nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents Phan Van Nguyen and Hue Thi Le; her older brother Nghiem Nguyen; her older sisters Kim-Chi Thi Nguyen, Kim-Dung Thi Nguyen, and Kim-Hoa Thi Nguyen; and her niece Linh Nguyen Glowacka.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in loving memory of Maria Kim-Van on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Jerome Catholic Church, located at 116 Denbigh Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23608. Father Thanh Pham and Father Quy Pham will be concelebrating the mass. Please join the family for a lunch reception in the parish hall following the funeral mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Maria Kim-Van’s name may be made to your favorite charity.
The family of Maria Kim-Van Thi Nguyen wishes to thank Heartland Hospice and palliative care nurse, Dawn Quinn, for their compassionate care of Maria Kim-Van; Weymouth Funeral Home for their personalized service; and St. Jerome’s Funeral Committee for their assistance with celebrating her life.
The family also wishes to thank you warmly and sincerely for your comforting words and genuine acts of kindness during our time of bereavement.
