Thai Bui

It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Bùi Thị Hồng Thái, who peacefully left this life on June 16, 2026, to be reunited with her husband and daughter. Born on December 15, 1934, in Duyên Hà, Thái Bình, Vietnam, she lived a life defined by courage, sacrifice, determination, and unwavering love for her family. As a young woman, she was educated, ambitious, and full of promise. At the age of 24, she met the man who would become her husband, Thiep Bui. Their love story was one of patience and devotion—he pursued her for four years before she finally agreed to date him. They married in 1962, beginning a partnership that would last nearly six decades. Together, they raised seven children—Tuyen, Amy, Loan, Dan, Diana, Tai, and Cindy—building a home grounded in faith, hard work, and deep family devotion. Before leaving Vietnam, she worked as a secretary at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, a position she held until the historic events of April 1975 changed the course of their lives forever. During those uncertain days, the U.S. Embassy sponsored their family of nine to immigrate to the United States. They were welcomed by St. John’s Episcopal Church in Wichita, Kansas, where they began the challenging but hopeful journey of rebuilding their lives in a new country. Never afraid of hard work, she took a job at a beef processing plant while attending English classes at night. In 1978, the family moved to Pontiac, Michigan, after her husband accepted a position with General Motors. Her dedication to education continued as she improved her English and later taught ESL at the Whitmer Human Resource Center, where four of her younger children attended school. As her children grew older, she joined a packaging company, working tirelessly to support her large family. She eventually retired the same year her husband retired from General Motors. Retirement only expanded her world. She became an active member of the Sterling Heights Senior Center, participating enthusiastically in the Walking Club, Scrabble Club, Table Tennis Club, and Zumba classes. Her warmth, quiet, but outgoing spirit drew people to her effortlessly. She had a remarkable gift for making friends—often turning strangers into lifelong companions. Her laughter, kindness, and genuine interest in others left a lasting impression on everyone she met. At home, some of her happiest moments were spent around the table playing Quiddler and Scrabble with her children and grandchildren. A fierce competitor, she kept meticulous scorecards—carefully dated and saved as treasured memories of family gatherings. More often than not, she won, earning the title her family lovingly gave her: the “Quiddler Queen” of the Bui Family. As immigrants, she and her husband worked tirelessly to create opportunities for their children. Through their example, they taught perseverance, humility, resilience, and the value of education and hard work. Their sacrifices laid the foundation for future generations to thrive. Her life was marked by great love and great loss. In 2007, she endured the heartbreaking passing of her youngest daughter, Cindy. Though the pain never left her, she continued to be a source of strength for her family. In 2021, she said goodbye to her beloved husband and soulmate after nearly sixty years of marriage. Their love story—born in Vietnam and carried across continents—endured through war, immigration, sacrifice, and the raising of seven children. She leaves behind her children, grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, extended family, and countless friends who will forever cherish her wisdom, kindness, resilience, and boundless love. Today, we find comfort in knowing she has been reunited with her husband and daughter. Though we will miss her dearly, her legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the values she instilled, and the many lives she touched. May she rest in eternal peace.

Thai Bui

December 15, 1934 - June 16, 2026