Mai Thi Dang's Obituary
Michelle Dang (Dang Thi Xuan Mai) departed from the world at 12:30PM on June 10, 2020 at Baptist Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee after a long battle with illness.
Michelle was born on February 21, 1960 in a little town named Thoai Son, An Giang Province, Vietnam to Mr. Dang Van Dang and Mrs. Le Thi Quan, both deceased.
In the summer of 1977, Michelle and her family escaped Vietnam to Songkhla, Thailand and subsequently settled in Memphis, TN the following winter. Michelle worked to help the family while pushing herself through high school and college. In 1984, after graduating from Christian Brothers College with major in Electrical Engineering, she joined FedEx. Overcoming many prejudices against female engineers, Michelle was recognized for her accomplishments and rapidly promoted. Michelle undoubtedly destined for a rewarding career at FedEx. The illness struck. Michelle suffered an incurable inflammatory disease, called Lupus (SLE). In late1980’s, doctors gave her 6 months to live. Her strong will and fighting spirit extended her life for another 30 years.
Michelle was a born leader at work and at home. At work, she showed that females can excellent engineers and team leaders. At home, she was a rock for her family to lean on. She never asked why misfortune fell on her. She took the disease face on and put up a good fight.
Michelle was a long life fan of the NFL Pittsburg Steelers. She attended their games and even received a ball from Antonio Brown, a famous Steelers Wide Receiver.
Michelle is survived by her husband of 35 years, Ray Suwanvanich , sister Dang Thi Thu and brothers Dang Huu Thanh, Dang Huu Duc, Dang Huu Tri and Dang Huu Phuong (Paul Dang, M.D.), and numerous nieces and nephews who loved her as if their own mom.
Service will be from 8:30 and 11:30AM on the 13th of June at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Polar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119.
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