Obituary of Tran Ai Van

November 20, 1958 – Nha Trang, Vietnam

December 1, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Tran Ai Van passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at the age of 66 years, due to complications caused by Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

Born in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on November 20, 1958, to parents Qui Xuong Van and Muoi Huu, Tran was the second eldest sister among nine siblings.

In June 1979, at age 20, Tran and her family fled Vietnam and spent 11 months in a Hong Kong refugee camp. In May 1980, they came to Calgary, AB, where Tran met her husband, Tam Vu, who had also fled Vietnam due to the Vietnam War. Tam was friends with Tran's younger brother and was immediately enamoured after seeing a photo of a cute young woman with short, curly hair. After asking her dad for permission to date Tran, the couple were married within three years on May 22, 1983, and on August 21, 1994, became parents to twins Jenny and Scott Vu, who they have raised to become a hydrogeologist and a Canadian diplomat serving abroad, respectively.

In 2016, Tran was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a devastating and incurable neurological condition that eventually left Tran unable to move and speak.

Tran loved cooking spicy dishes for her family, spending time with her siblings, listening to music, and watching movies, especially Vietnamese comedies, which made her laugh even while in her advanced stages of PSP.

She is survived by her husband, daughter, son, eight siblings, and many nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents.

Should you wish to join the fight against Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, the Vu family would appreciate any memorial tributes may be made directly to the PSP Society of Canada (PO Box 40, Station Main Kingston, ON, K7L 4V6) Telephone: 1-888-675-0230, https://www.pspsocietycanada.ca/. 

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB) on Friday, December 6, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB) on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mrs. Van’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Tran’s family here.

In living memory of Tran Ai Van, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.

Click to Sign the Video Guest Book and Watch Tran Ai Van's Funeral Service