Phong Thi-Thanh Dao

Phong Dao passed away on February 8, 2021 in Camarillo, CA after a long battle with dementia and other ailments. She was born on November 21, 1937 to Pastor Minh Xuan Dao and Cat Thi Nguyen in Thanh Hoa, North Vietnam. She was one of nine children. Phong was sadly separated from her parents and six of her siblings at the age of 17. At the time, her parents sent her along with her two older brothers in search of a better life in South Vietnam, away from the communist regime of North Vietnam. There she met and married her husband of 62 years, An Le, in 1957. She gave birth to six children, whom she devoted her life caring for.

In 1975, she along with her six children fled to the U.S. before the takeover of South Vietnam by the communist North. Her husband was not allowed to leave with her at the the time since he was serving as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Vietnam Air Force. She was alone with her six children for months at a refugee camp in Arkansas before meeting up with her husband there. She and her family later got sponsored out of the refugee camp to live with a family on a farm in Lincoln, Nebraska. She resided in Nebraska for several years before moving to California for better job opportunities and to get away from the cold winters of Nebraska.

Phong was a devoted wife and mom. She was known for her love and kindness. Her infectious smiles were unforgettable. She had a great love for God, singing, ballroom dancing, and Paris, France. She visited Paris three times throughout her life. She was able to return to Vietnam once to reunite with her dad but not her mom, since she had previously passed away. She is now reunited with them both in Heaven.

Phong is preceded in death by her husband, three sisters, and two brothers. She is survived by her brothers Hung, Tien, and Nam Anh; children Toan, Thinh, Thanh, Loan, Long, and Thoa; grandchildren David, Derek, Eric, Jessica, Timothy, Nathan, Sathya, and Shanti; great grandchildren Maddox, Roman, Mila, Cruz, and Nora; and extended family.

Her funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on April 5, 2021 at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, CA. She will be laid to rest beside her late husband. She is now amongst the angels guiding and watching over us from above. She will always lives in our hearts and will forever be missed. Love you so much mom and may you Rest In Peace.

To watch the funeral service live, please visit
https://youtu.be/GgldmEv2r9w