In Celebration of
Lien Nguyen
June 11, 1956 - March 14, 2025
Lien Nguyen was surrounded by her family’s support and love when she passed away from ALS in her home on March 14th, 2025.
She was the beloved mother of Anh Tuan, Tu Anh, Minh Tu, Gia Tue, and the late Thuan. The proud grandmother of six beautiful grandchildren: Azaria, Averie, Maxwell, Sebastian, Theo, and Hugo; her memory will live on through them. Quy Ton, her loving husband of 35 years, will forever cherish and miss her.
Lien was born in Vietnam, June 11th, 1956. She completed all of her schooling there, including a college diploma in accounting before she got a job with the government of Vietnam.
Arriving to Canada in the early 80’s, Lien gained and cherished many friendships in the Vietnamese community and through her work. Her friendships were marked with long conversations because she loved storytelling, learning, helping people, and always needed someone to talk to when she was driving.
Her drives would take her to remote garden centres, with the biggest and best roses, to far away farms with the healthiest and best free range chickens. Her love of decorating and keeping things fresh in her home took her all over the city to find trends and treasures. Once, she found herself at Alfred Sung’s garage sale (which she jokingly called garbage sales), and now his tableware set still remains in her kitchen cabinet. And make no mistake, everything was always at a good price.
She didn’t restrain from the finer things when it came to taking care of herself. Her beauty regime was always purchased from a store with a pink bag because “you need to take care of your body.” Taking care of your body also aligned with what she put, or didn’t put, into it. She had juicers, presses, and an even soy milk maker; because once she was gifted a 50 lbs bag of organic soybeans. She didn’t drink or smoke, and felt it her responsibility to share any news on superfoods, and food industry recalls.
What was most precious to Lien was her family. As an unconditionally loving mother, she worked tirelessly, was uncommonly perceptive in finding opportunities, and fearlessly pivoted to ensure a solid future for her children. True to personality, she was lavish with her gifts and praises when it came to her grandchildren.
Something needs to be said about her precious companion, Fluffy. Fluffy won her heart over with his compassion and cuteness. Fluffy never lacked attention from her. Often coming home from work, she would surprise him with a new toy, or teach him new tricks, and he would profess his love for her by running to her instead of Gia, Fluffy’s original momma.
Lien was a chief planner, and was always thinking ahead. It brought her great joy to help people and share. Whether it was explaining how to navigate using the sun and the direction of leaves, or helping someone get a job, she believed the most important trait to have is a “good heart.”
No amount of time would have been enough for her family and friends. She was on track to take her family to visit Vietnam, but ALS robbed everyone of that. In her last days, she wished that a cure could be found for someone else, even though it was too late for her.
Everyone is welcome to join her family for a gathering at the Turner & Porter 'Yorke' Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W., Toronto, on Tuesday, March 25th anytime between 4-8 p.m
She would be touched to give back to the wonderful team at Sunnybrook ALS Clinic who has supported her for the last three years.
If you would like to honour Lien Nguyen, donations can be made to the ALS RESEARCH, under the OTHER designation at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Friends and family can make their donation via Sunnybrook Foundation by phone (416) 480-4483, web http://donate.sunnybrook.ca/tribute, mail c/o Sunnybrook Foundation, KGW01-2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, or by using the donation tab at top right of this page.
She was the beloved mother of Anh Tuan, Tu Anh, Minh Tu, Gia Tue, and the late Thuan. The proud grandmother of six beautiful grandchildren: Azaria, Averie, Maxwell, Sebastian, Theo, and Hugo; her memory will live on through them. Quy Ton, her loving husband of 35 years, will forever cherish and miss her.
Lien was born in Vietnam, June 11th, 1956. She completed all of her schooling there, including a college diploma in accounting before she got a job with the government of Vietnam.
Arriving to Canada in the early 80’s, Lien gained and cherished many friendships in the Vietnamese community and through her work. Her friendships were marked with long conversations because she loved storytelling, learning, helping people, and always needed someone to talk to when she was driving.
Her drives would take her to remote garden centres, with the biggest and best roses, to far away farms with the healthiest and best free range chickens. Her love of decorating and keeping things fresh in her home took her all over the city to find trends and treasures. Once, she found herself at Alfred Sung’s garage sale (which she jokingly called garbage sales), and now his tableware set still remains in her kitchen cabinet. And make no mistake, everything was always at a good price.
She didn’t restrain from the finer things when it came to taking care of herself. Her beauty regime was always purchased from a store with a pink bag because “you need to take care of your body.” Taking care of your body also aligned with what she put, or didn’t put, into it. She had juicers, presses, and an even soy milk maker; because once she was gifted a 50 lbs bag of organic soybeans. She didn’t drink or smoke, and felt it her responsibility to share any news on superfoods, and food industry recalls.
What was most precious to Lien was her family. As an unconditionally loving mother, she worked tirelessly, was uncommonly perceptive in finding opportunities, and fearlessly pivoted to ensure a solid future for her children. True to personality, she was lavish with her gifts and praises when it came to her grandchildren.
Something needs to be said about her precious companion, Fluffy. Fluffy won her heart over with his compassion and cuteness. Fluffy never lacked attention from her. Often coming home from work, she would surprise him with a new toy, or teach him new tricks, and he would profess his love for her by running to her instead of Gia, Fluffy’s original momma.
Lien was a chief planner, and was always thinking ahead. It brought her great joy to help people and share. Whether it was explaining how to navigate using the sun and the direction of leaves, or helping someone get a job, she believed the most important trait to have is a “good heart.”
No amount of time would have been enough for her family and friends. She was on track to take her family to visit Vietnam, but ALS robbed everyone of that. In her last days, she wished that a cure could be found for someone else, even though it was too late for her.
Everyone is welcome to join her family for a gathering at the Turner & Porter 'Yorke' Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W., Toronto, on Tuesday, March 25th anytime between 4-8 p.m
She would be touched to give back to the wonderful team at Sunnybrook ALS Clinic who has supported her for the last three years.
If you would like to honour Lien Nguyen, donations can be made to the ALS RESEARCH, under the OTHER designation at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Friends and family can make their donation via Sunnybrook Foundation by phone (416) 480-4483, web http://donate.sunnybrook.ca/tribute, mail c/o Sunnybrook Foundation, KGW01-2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, or by using the donation tab at top right of this page.
Funeral Details
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Visitation
Turner & Porter - Yorke Chapel
2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M6S 1P4
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Tuesday, 25 Mar 2025 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM