Thu Anh Nguyen

We regretfully announce the passing of Thu Nguyen, Nguyễn Anh Thư, of Columbia, Missouri on March 27, 2023, due to medical complications. She was survived by her husband, Huy Nguyen, and their two children, Bella and Leo.

Thu graduated from Hanoi Foreign Trade University in 2006, earning a Master's degree while working for an import-export company for 8 years. After getting married, Thu and Huy welcomed their first child Bella in 2011. In 2014, Huy came to the United States to pursue a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at the University of Missouri. A few months later, Thu joined her husband, with little Bella in tow and pregnant with their second child Leo, to start a new life in Columbia, Missouri.

As a wife and a mother, Thu always gave her all to her family. She was a strong, dedicated and independent woman. While Huy was busy with his study and lab work, she wholeheartedly took care of house chores and childrearing, adjusting to the new culture and learning everything by herself, from making doctor appointments to figuring out where to get the paperwork done. She then worked as a cashier at a Vietnamese restaurant for 4 years and was well-remembered by its patrons as a smiling and loving lady.

Her life changed on a spring day of 2021 when Thu found out she was diagnosed with one of the most aggressive types of breast cancer. This was a shock for her as she had just welcomed her 36th birthday with lots of wishes, plans, and work need to be done. Thu battled the challenge with a positive attitude and energy. Courageously, she underwent chemotherapy, mastectomy, and radiation, followed by a year-long process of immunotherapy. Slowly but unfalteringly, she recovered in 2022 and worked part-time as an office assistant at the Department of Otolaryngology. She resumed yoga classes, ran with the kids, walked them to the grocery store, drove them to activities as if nothing had happened.

Thu is an avid gardener. She joined the city of Columbia’s Community Garden and was given a plot of land to grow some of her favorite squashes, herbs, and vegetables. To her, gardening is a form of meditation where she could find herself most relaxed. It is also a way for her to create quality time with her little family as Huy and the kids also enjoyed the work and the fruits from their garden.

Thu is known as a great cook and baker in the Vietnamese community. Her traditional desserts and cakes were favored at celebrations and events. She was the go-to chef to ask for birthday cakes for little kids. She surprised them with cakes and a big smile.

Unfortunately, Thu was admitted to University Hospital's emergency room on Friday, March 24, 2023, and later to Medical Intensive Care as her health declined quickly. Thu passed away on the night of Monday, March 27, 2023, surrounded by her husband, children, and dear friends.

The funeral service for Thu will be held on April 2, 2023, at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel. Visitation and viewing start at 9 AM, followed by a memorial service at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to https://everloved.com/life-of/thu-nguyen/ to help her family pay for medical expenses, funeral service, airfares to send her ashes back home, and set up a scholarship fund for her children.

Thu, you will always be in our hearts, and we will never forget you. We love you so much.

Rest in peace.

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