Kieu Tran's Obituary
Our mother was born in Vietnam. Our grandfather died when she was eight years old. So mother had to work and help grandmother take care of two young bothers and one sister. Mother did not have a chance go to a regular school but she tried to attend night school after work. She married my father at the age of 21 and had three children. Our parents realized the importance of education, skills and experience that would help all three children have a better life. They worked very hard and built their own business, a restaurant in Vietnam. After many years of difficulty and struggle to maintain the restaurant, it was very successful and prosperous. In 1979, to avoid the draft for the war between Vietnam and Cambodia, our parents decided to let their two young sons escape by boat to Indonesia. During the ten years of separation from her two sons, mother became very sick and weak. We had a reunion in the United States. Our parents reestablished their restaurant business in Oakland’s Chinatown. After 9 years in business, our parents decided to retire and live in their home in Hayward. Father was very ill and weak. He passed away in 2004. Mother was lonely and moved in with her daughter and son-in-law in Marin County. Our mother was a quiet person, easy going, and warm, kind and generous. Although she had a lot of health problems, she had a positive attitude and sweet demeanor, cooperated with her doctors and took her medication. We tried to make our home as comfortable as possible for her. Mother eventually had much difficulty moving around or walking, even a short distance, but she insisted on visiting her husband during the Ching Minh event every year. Since mother only spoke Cantonese, we arranged for her to view and enjoy Chinese television programs and movies at home. We always cooked food she liked and brought home her favorite food from local Chinese restaurants. Now, our mother has left her children to join with her husband. We hope she was free from sickness and pain. Our parents will be together and rest in the home at Skylawn Memorial Park.
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