Obituary - Tu Thi Wassa

May 29, 1938 – October 19, 2022

Mrs. Tu Thi Wassa, age 84, passed away quietly in her home in Henrico, Virginia on October 19, 2022. She was born on May 29, 1938, in Vinh Long, Vietnam. Mrs. Wassa worked as an infirmary nurse during the Vietnam War based in Saigon, Vietnam. At the end of the Vietnam War, Mrs. Wassa moved to the United States in June of 1975. Her long journey ended at Fort Lee in Petersburg, Virginia where she met her loving husband, Mr. Charles Edmond Wassa. She married him, on September 4, 1976, for 16 wonderful years. They together had a daughter, Lisa Wassa, who was born on September 17, 1980. She was widowed at the age of 54. And lived the rest of her life as a single hardworking mother to Lisa and her three beautiful grandchildren.

Mrs. Wassa was instrumental in expanding the Vietnamese community footprint in Richmond, Virginia in the early 80’s. She and her husband opened one of the first authentic Vietnamese restaurant called “Que Huong” and two Asian grocery markets. Her entrepreneurship and passion paved the way to encourage and support the next generation of Vietnamese immigrants to become their own small business owner’s.

Mrs. Wassa enjoyed reading, spending time with her family and volunteering most of her time to Chua Hue Quang Buddhist temple located in Henrico, Virginia. Throughout her life, she has been a loving presence in the lives of family and many friends. Mrs. Wassa will always be remembered for her kindness, big smile, and loyalty to her community.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mrs. Sam Thi Ngo and Mr. Chung Van Nguyen. Mrs. Wassa is survived by her daughter Ms. Lisa Wassa and three grandchildren: Evan Xavier Benjamin, Mia Monroe Wassa, and Naomi Nguyen Wassa.

The funeral will be officiated by Monk Thich Minh Tri from Henrico, Virginia. The service will be at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 North Parham Rd. Richmond, VA 23229, on October 25th and 26th of 2022. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mrs. Tu Thi Wassa’s life.