Nhien Thi Nguyen
February 28, 1940 ~ November 29, 2022
Resided in:
South Portland, Maine
South Portland- Nhiên Thị Nguyễn, 82, of Broadway died peacefully on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at Maine Medical Center with her loving family by her side.
Nhiên was born in Giá Rai, Việt Nam on February 28, 1940 the daughter of the late Võ-văn-Cận and Nguyễn-Thị-Ngàn. She met her husband Hoà Gia Nguyễn and married him at the age of 16.
In April of 1975 Nhiên and Hoà made the decision to flee Việt Nam due to the escalating war. After several unsuccessful attempts to leave, Nhiên and her family made their way to the harbor where thousands of citizens were loading onto barges as Saigon fell. The barges were towed out to the middle of the ocean, where they waited to be picked up by US Military ships. Nhiên was frightened to climb the gangway, as people were fighting to board the ships. Nhiên was separated from her husband and two of her sons, as the ship filled and left. Nhiên and her other son boarded one of the last ships. The family was reunited at a refugee camp in Guam. From Guam the family went on to Pennsylviania before completing their journey to their new home in Maine.
After settling in, Nhiên went to work in the housekeeping department of Maine Medical Center. Her favorite floor to work on was the maternity floor, she just loved being around all the new babies. She retired in 2002 after more than 25 years of service.
In her spare-time she loved to go fishing off the rocks at Two Lights. Nhiên could also be found fishing off the piers in Portland for mackerel, which she traded with local fishermen in exchange for lobsters and crabs. She was a proud and avid gardener and could often be seen working in her gardens around her home. Nhiên loved to sew and make clothing, having taught sewing in Việt Nam. She was an amazing cook and loved to teach and share her gift with family and friends. Her greatest love was the time she spent surrounded by her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a longtime parishioner of St. John’s/Holy Cross Church.
Nhiên was predeceased by her husband, Hoà Gia Nguyễn; two sons, Cường and Công Nguyễn. She is survived by a son, Thịnh and his wife Verna Nguyễn of Casco; a daughter, Khuê and her husband Scott Dunham of South Portland; four sisters, Lan, Điệp, Đẹp, and Lằm and one brother Hiệp who all reside in Việt Nam; five grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren; and her longtime companion, Dong Nguyễn of South Portland.
Visiting hours celebrating Nhiên’s life will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker Portland Chapel, 172 State St Portland. Prayers will be recited at the Conroy-Tully Walker Portland Chapel at 11:15am on Friday, December 9, 2022 followed by a 12pm Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, 1461 Broadway, South Portland. A reception will be held at Saint Bartholomew, 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth following the burial. To watch the live stream of Nhiên’s funeral, please visit www.facebook.com/conroytullywalker. To view Nhiên’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
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My heart breaks for your family of sorrow but I know Ms. Nhien Nguyen – Thim Hoa – your mother rests in the arms of Jesus now and receive her eternal reward. Chi Ba