Minks Nguyen

Minks Thuy Nguyễn, aged 69, of Houston, Texas took her final breath on July 6, 2026. She was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in October 2023, sought treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center and experienced the cancer journey for 33 months. Minks approached the incurable disease with tremendous courage, deep faith and endless amounts of laughs. She will be remembered for her signature giggle, love for gardening, commitment to her church and community, and her devotion to her husband and children. She is beyond loved and will be missed dearly.

The eighth child of Tâm Thanh Nguyễn and Trong Van Nguyễn, Minks was born in Bình Hòa, Việt Nam on March 13, 1957. She fled her homecountry in 1983 by a little boat and was scooped up by the USS D.L. Bower before arriving in America. Minks worked different jobs and careers before finding herself as business owner of a dry cleaners and alteration shop, Mink’s Dry Clean, with her husband, Nam. In 2015, they were able to retire early and took a 50-day traveling sabbatical before settling into their quiet retired life. It was the longest vacation they ever took after working 6 days a week for 25-plus years.

Minks and Nam wed on June 25, 1988, the first wedding of their families in America and recently celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary. Minks gave birth to twin girls, Kim Yến and Thanh Thế but lost them prematurely (1989). She felt a deep grief in their losses, but always dreamed of a family and later gave birth to Thiện (1990) and Thư (1992). She worked day and night to make sure that her children received the higher education opportunities that she never received. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for Thiện and Thư, or any of her family members.

Minks and Nam were always devoted to their Vietnamese church community, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church ever since it was started at St. Jerome Catholic Church. Minks taught Vietnamese class for a few years, and they both volunteered at the annual Thanksgiving Festival. After retiring, Minks and Nam joined the Thánh Tâm Choir. There was no other place that provided community, culture and faith like their church.

Minks is preceded in death by her mother and father, Tâm Thánh Nguyễn and Trong Van Nguyễn; her brothers Lộc Nguyễn; Thuần Nguyễn, and Linh Nguyễn and her twin daughters Kim Yến Nguyễn and Thanh Thế Nguyễn.