Thu Hong Le

Thu Hong Le, age 94, passed away peacefully at her residence in Deep Run, North Carolina, on August 21, 2025. She was born on August 11, 1931, in Vietnam to Mung Van Le and Qui Thi Nguyen. Throughout her life, she was dedicated to supporting her husband, family, friends, and those in need.

Thu participated in Vietnam's independence movement as a young adult, later worked as a nurse, and married Chi Thanh Pham in 1954. She supported Chi in his career as a pharmacist, and both were well respected in the community.

After private businesses closed in 1975 during South Vietnam's shift to communism, Thu and Chi focused on their family’s safety and future. In 1978, they discreetly sent two children out of Vietnam. The following year, after being left behind by paid smugglers, Chi obtained a small boat and helped his family escape. They survived patrols, storms, pirates, and days at sea before rescue brought them to Pulau Bidong Refugee Camp. With support from the American Red Cross, Thu’s sister Xuan Hong Le, and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Hickory, the Pham family reunited in Hickory, North Carolina on July 26, 1979.

Thu and her partner adapted by learning English and working as furniture assemblers at Century Furniture of Hickory. They encouraged their children to pursue higher education, resulting in all of them earning college degrees.

Thu was predeceased by her husband Chi Pham (2021), oldest sister Dao Hong Le, and brother Chieu Minh Le. Thu is survived by her 7 children: David Viet Pham (Truc), Hong Viet Pham (Hai), Ha Pham Cheek (Don), Thuy Pham Heldreth, Henry Viet Pham (Dung), Yung Viet Pham (Caroline), and Tam Viet Pham; 9 grandchildren: Will Cheek (Lauren), Bobby Cheek (Jess), Victoria Heldreth, Dylan Pham, Jennifer Pham, Michelle Pham, Sarah Pham, Jonathan Pham, and Ethan Pham; 4 great grandchildren: Juliette, Silas, Kai, Alani, as well as her younger sisters, Xuan Hong Le and Thuy Thanh Huynh, and her youngest brother, Tong Thanh Huynh.

A celebration of life for family and family friends will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Gaston County Wildlife Club, 3127 S Point Rd, Belmont, NC 28012.

Instead of memorial gifts, please consider donating to Hospice & Palliative Care, Charlotte Region (www.hpccr.org) or to Phuoc Hai Buddhist Temple in Charlotte (https://causes.benevity.org/causes/840-562634986).

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