Minh Thu Franklin—known as "Thu" to her family in America, and as "Mindy" to her friends and clients—was born in Saigon, Viet Nam under the sign of the Dragon. Her life demonstrated the truths about Dragons that you might have seen on the place mats of Chinese restaurants. Thu was indeed "excitable, energetic, stubborn ", as well as "honest, sensitive, brave, and soft-hearted." Her life was complex spanning both hemispheres of the globe, and sometimes it seemed like the world was not big enough to contain all her energy, excitability and passion.
Thu grew up in a country torn by war and conflict. She began to study English, getting her mother to support her lessons, motivated by observing the large number of English-speaking Americans in residence. She attended a prestigious all-girls high school in Saigon, with the ultimate intention of going to medical school. Following the Tet offensive in 1968, she and her mother moved to Vientiane, Laos, in search of a safer life. There she served as a governess for a CIA family, was the singer in an expatriate Viet Namese band and worked for Laos Airlines. She met her first husband in Laos, an Army translator, whom she joined in this country in 1976.
Thu's first hand experiences with war had a great effect upon her. While in the countryside with her mothers family, she saw one of her uncles dying after being caught in crossfire between the Viet Cong and the South Viet Nam Army. She knew better than most of us the dangers inherent in the world, not taking easily feeling a sense of security.
Her life in the U.S.A. took her from West Virginia, to the D.C. area, to California (both Northern and Southern), and back to Northern Virginia. During her time in N. California, she met her husband of the last 25 years. Both had been previously married, and feeling a powerful connection, they decided to wed despite their obvious differences in background and culture, realizing that they shared a strong
belief in the importance family, and in trying to establish a secure place in life. Thu recognized Ben as someone who would flourish with nurturance and some degree of direction; she provided that and more. They are blessed with two beautiful and talented daughters. Thu was passionate as a parent, undertaking this role with the same determination and energy that characterized all the parts of her life. Family proved to be the focus of Thu's and Ben's life starting out in Arlington, and for the last 20 years in Leesburg.
Thu's greatest joy in life was taking care of others, particularly when it came to food. She was a marvelous cook, and took great pride and pleasure in preparing food for others. Her Spring Rolls are emblematic of her talents in the kitchen, and most everyone who knew her has been graced with enjoying her food. On the last day of her life, before her stroke, daughter Amanda asked her mother

what brought her happiness in life. Thu replied that besides watching her children grow up and prosper, she most enjoyed caring for her family, her home, her pets, her plants and her garden.
Thu's drive to get things done was astounding. She by herself installed hard wood floors throughout her house; she retiled and renovated bathrooms; she created a home beauty spa for her business in a storage area off the garage. She believed in work, and put her belief into action. She thought she could do anything, and mostly demonstrated that this was so. Need a house league soccer coach? Thu jumps in, taking the girls sprinting up hills as if they were training for the Olympics. She was competitive and liked to win, and her soccer team reflected her attributes. She also thought she could coach football better than what she saw on TV, becoming infuriated when teams persisted in "running up the middle."
Thu financially supported a number of her relatives in Viet Nam. She helped cousins with school expenses, and helped another buy a business near a school. She sent money for aunts and uncles who needed health or hospital care. She sent money for relatives to improve or add on to their homes. Thu helped fund a small orphanage in the Mekong Delta, where many of her extended family live. Along with her generosity came advice, a lot of advice, which Thu was inclined to give, whether requested or not. As the only child of the eldest of 13 children Thu assumed the role of matriarch, and had frequent, and sometimes loud phone conversations with her many relatives in Viet Nam.
Her love for her native land was powerful; she longed for its beauty and for many of the values found in her culture. She was able to travel back to Viet Nam frequently over the last 20 years, and oversaw the construction of a home near her relatives, where she and Ben planned to spend some time each year after retirement.
Thu had a very strong sense of spirituality, rooted in her Buddhist background. She explored Christianity, but always came back to Buddha. Her daily practice was to put on a special robe, light candles, pray, and meditate. Her prayers were for all in distress: victims of hurricanes, tsunami, and earthquakes, and also for particular situations she knew of: those serving in Iraq, individuals fighting cancer, and people who had lost loved ones. Knowing that the world was a dangerous place, her practice of prayer and meditation offered her some relief from anxieties and worries that sometimes plagued her.
The last year of her life was especially blessed. With Ben and Amanda, she got to see Lena graduate from UGA with honors, and proceed to graduate school in Social Work. She and Lena went of to an extended trip through Viet Nam and Singapore. Thu got to see Amanda prosper in college, emulate her talents in the kitchen, and reflect her passionate nature. She got to spend time with both the girls' boyfriends, and come to love them and trust them. She and Ben, Lena and Amanda, AND the boyfriends, spent a glorious week in Hawaii last summer, celebrating Ben's and Thu's 25th wedding anniversary. Yes, her life was surely blessed, and she looked forward to the years ahead.
We trust God in taking her now, yielding to his will, also with Faith that he will help us through the terrible pain of losing her.

A Memorial Service will be held in her honor at 11:00 am on Thursday, November 6, 2008 at the Leesburg Presbyterian Church.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Interfaith Relief Distribution Center; P.O. Box 6042, Leesburg, VA 20178