Be Thi Hoang, age 89, of Orlando, FL, formerly of Cam Ranh, Vietnam passed away at Orlando Regional Medical Center in Orlando on April 2, 2016.

Be was born on January 5th, 1927 in Quang Binh, Vietnam, where she also grew up.

Be married the love of her life, Hoang Dinh Chau in 1947. They fled from the Communist Party from Quang Binh to the south. From there they moved multiple times between many cities due to Hoang's career as a government official, including Hue, Da Nang, Qui Nhon, Hoi An, Quang Ngai, and Cam Ranh. The couple finally settled in the capital city of Saigon in 1990, where they raised their twelve children: Thai, Cuong, Quy, Qui, Nhon, Pho, Diep, Tam, Linh, Yen, Huan, and Tu. Their family tree was expansive, with grandchildren being born both in Vietnam and the United States.

Be spent 10 years in Saigon before immigrating to the United States to be closer to her children who had escaped to the US before her.

Be was a determined, loyal and courageous woman who sacrificed much for her family. Following the Vietnam War between 1975-1980 her husband and three eldest sons were sent to a Communist concentration camp, during which time she cared for family and home singlehandedly. She endured many hardships and struggled daily for years, feeding not only her own but the prisoners of the camps as well. She gave all she could to ensure her children the best future they could achieve, and their achievements are many. She remained with her husband all his years unto his passing in 1999, and never remarried.

Be was a devoted and loving mother. Her children include architects, business owners, technicians, and artists. Among them includes an engineer involved in the rebuilding of the Freedom Tower in New York. She loved to cook and was well known amongst her family and friends for being a powerhouse in the kitchen. In fact many of her children and grandchildren went on to open restaurants using recipes handed down from her.

Be was always smiling, always laughing. She had a silly sense of humor, loving to tease but never offend. She always greeted her guests with a wide, bright smile, and if she ever had a bad day, she went to great lengths to make sure her children never knew.

She was well-loved and respected, and her kindness and efforts in her early life have had far-reaching and lasting effects. She will be greatly missed by many, and not a day will go by where she is not thought of.

Family and friends will gather at the DeGusipe Funeral Home, located at 1400 Matthew Paris Blvd., Ocoee, FL on Friday, April 8th for Visitation from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Her Funeral Service will be held at St. Phillip Phan Van Minh Church, located at 15 W. Par St., Orlando, FL at 10:30 AM on Saturday, April 9th. From there a procession will travel to the Woodlawn Memorial Park at 400 Woodlawn Cemetary Rd., Gotha, FL where she will be buried alongside her husband, Hoang Dinh Chau. It is here they will rest beside each other, for now and evermore.

"Remember me, Lord, how I have walked in your presence with integrity, with an undivided heart, and I have accomplished what is good in your sight."

(2 Kings 20:3)