Emily Hoang Nguyen's Obituary
Our hearts are heavy as we share that Emily Hoang Nguyen, 87, passed away of natural causes at her home in San Francisco, CA, on Sunday, February 26, 2023.
She was born on December 25, 1935, in Thanh Hoa, Vietnam. She was active in the Hanoi Church, where she met her future husband, Thuan Van Nguyen. In September 1957, when she was 21, she came to the United States and was married in Santa Cruz, CA, shortly after that. Emily and Thuan were married for 60 years and had three children (An McNulty, Don Nguyen, and Kim Nguyen) and four grandchildren (Kelley Naylor, Robert McNulty, Ryan Gallagher, and Griffon Gallagher).
Teaching was in her genes, whether she was helping her grandchildren, teaching at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA, or teaching Vietnamese to Army officers at Fort Bliss, TX. She also worked as an assistant librarian at the Stanford University Library. She spent many years as an English as a Second Language Instructor at Delta College and the Stockton Unified School District School for Adults.
In 2000, Emily and Thuan moved to San Francisco from Stockton to be closer to family and friends. They enjoyed being active members of the Stonestown YMCA, walking the Land's End trail, and helping their grandchildren. In her 80s, Emily started taking piano lessons and tap dancing.
She will always be remembered for her kindness, thoughtfulness, grace, elegance, and positivity. She looked for goodness in everyone and every situation and was a role model for healthy living. She would often print inspirational thoughts and share them with others.
Her children, grandchildren, family, friends, neighbors, and students were grateful she was in our lives. We love her and miss her dearly.
Friends of the family are welcome to watch the memorial service on Saturday, April 8 at 11:00 a.m. PDT via Zoom: https://www.econdolence.com/08wnohyd Viewneral ID: 982 2756 1760 Password: 848958
What’s your fondest memory of Emily?
What’s a lesson you learned from Emily?
Share a story where Emily's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Emily you’ll never forget.
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