Thanh Dam Nguyen Huu, known lovingly to family and friends simply as Dam, passed away on June 18, 2026, at the age of 72. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, creativity, and generosity that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

If you were fortunate enough to know Dam, you knew her by her warm smile, generous heart, and the way she made everyone feel welcome. She had a gift for making people feel seen, heard, and loved, and her kindness left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Dam was born on July 2, 1953, in Clichy, France. She spent her childhood in both France and Vietnam before later moving to Washington, D.C., carrying with her a rich appreciation for the cultures, traditions, and experiences that shaped her life. In 1974, she graduated from Hood College with a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies, concentrating in art and biology.

A gifted artist with a remarkable creative spirit, Dam built a career spanning healthcare, insurance, customer service, graphic design, and interpretation, using both her creativity and to serve and connect with others. Whether through her professional work or personal pursuits, she brought beauty, imagination, and thoughtfulness to everything she touched. Drawing was
one of her greatest passions. She also loved knitting and sewing.

Dam was a woman of extraordinary resilience. A two-time cancer survivor, she faced life’s challenges with courage, grace, and an unwavering determination to keep moving forward. She was a survivor in every sense of the word, overcoming adversity while always continuing to care for and support those around her.

Above all, Dam’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted and loving mother to her daughters, Michelle and Rosie, and a proud grandmother to Paxton, Parker and Jacob. She cherished every moment spent with her grandsons and delighted in hearing the funny stories and adventures that inevitably made her laugh.

A lifelong lover of language and culture, Dam spoke both French and Vietnamese and took great pride in sharing her heritage with her family. She especially enjoyed teaching her grandsons French words and phrases, including “Merci Percy”.

Those fortunate enough to know Dam will remember her as warm, kind, caring, thoughtful, and full of energy. She was a wonderful listener and trusted confidante. Her generosity knew no bounds. She was always thinking of others, often surprising, loved ones with thoughtful gifts or acts of kindness. She was always a devoted caretaker and someone who always put the needs of others before her own.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nguyen Huu Hanh and Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa.

She is survived by her daughters, Michelle and Rosie; her grandsons, Paxton, Parker and Jacob; her siblings, Lee, Paul, Rosemary, and Jack; and many extended family members and dear friends whose lives were enriched by her love and friendship.

Dam’s life was a testament to resilience, creativity, generosity, and unconditional love. Though she will be deeply missed, her spirit lives on in the family she cherished, the friendships she nurtured, and the countless lives she touched. Her laughter, kindness, wisdom, and enduring love will remain in the hearts of those who knew her.

Celebration of Life details will be shared at a later date.