Vi Lieu Memorial Fund
Donation protected
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Vi Lieu on Dec 27, 2020 (due to complications with COVID-19). After more than three weeks in the hospital, and 7 days in the ICU on a ventilator, his heart gave out at 8:31 AM. He was only 44 years old.
Vi was an exceptional human being who lived his life with incredible selflessness and integrity. All those who knew Vi, knew that he lived his life with one singular purpose - to make his family happy. Everyone that he cared about was treated like family. He never said no when family needed him even when it meant great sacrifices on his part. During his final days, Vi could not even bring himself to bother his nurses for even the most basic comforts like a cup of coffee in the morning when they forgot to bring it. But those who knew Vi wouldn’t be surprised by this – it is who he was at his core – he ALWAYS put the needs of others before his own.
On Saturday, November 28, 2020, Vi called his sister in a panic to say, "I tested positive for Covid and if I don't make it through this, please help take care of the kids." Vi was deeply afraid from the very beginning because he was keenly aware of how deadly this virus can be.
This was the beginning of a very long month of immeasurable pain and suffering for Vi and his family. After a week of debilitating headaches, dizziness,and extraordinary fatigue, Vi was finally admitted to the hospital on Friday, December 4th with breathing complications. A chest x-ray revealed that he had Covid pneumonia and he was immediately given steroids and Remdesivir. For 16 long days Vi endured the frightening uncertainty of his weakening lungs - he didn't know when the next attack would hit, when he would have to frantically keep pushing the call button for a nurse to come raise his oxygen assist. On one occasion he even had to call his brother on the phone in a panic for help because the nurse wasn't coming. Theodore had to phone the nurses station to get immediate help. Everyday brought on new complications until fevers and chills led to a CAT scan that showed the pneumonia was spreading. Towards the end, Vi said, "I can't even feel my lungs anymore."
On Sunday, December 20, Vi's oxygen dipped so low that he was rushed into ICU and put on a ventilator as he was no longer able to breathe on his own. During the intubation, his lungs collapsed because they were so weak. The doctors did all they could to stabilize him over the next week until his heart gave out. Vi endured 24 days of complete loneliness and despair. All he wanted to do was hold his children one last time. He never got the chance.
Vi was an incredible son, brother, cousin, and brother-in-law, but most of all, he cherished his role as husband, father and uncle. Vi leaves behind his wife, Chai (Cassandra), his children: Lana (14), Ellie (9) and Samuel (2) and his adult stepchildren Kaitlyn and Annabelle.
So many of you have reached out with phone calls, texts, and emails to ask how you can contribute to helping the family. This has been our blessing - to know that Vi's love and influence have touched your hearts. It is our hope that when it is safe to do so, we can come together to celebrate Vi’s exceptional life.
We, his extended family, are setting up a trust for his three young children. Vi worked tirelessly and sacrificed so much so that he could see his kids go to college one day and your donations will be one step towards fulfilling that dream.
Thank you for loving Vi and his family.
Vi was an exceptional human being who lived his life with incredible selflessness and integrity. All those who knew Vi, knew that he lived his life with one singular purpose - to make his family happy. Everyone that he cared about was treated like family. He never said no when family needed him even when it meant great sacrifices on his part. During his final days, Vi could not even bring himself to bother his nurses for even the most basic comforts like a cup of coffee in the morning when they forgot to bring it. But those who knew Vi wouldn’t be surprised by this – it is who he was at his core – he ALWAYS put the needs of others before his own.
On Saturday, November 28, 2020, Vi called his sister in a panic to say, "I tested positive for Covid and if I don't make it through this, please help take care of the kids." Vi was deeply afraid from the very beginning because he was keenly aware of how deadly this virus can be.
This was the beginning of a very long month of immeasurable pain and suffering for Vi and his family. After a week of debilitating headaches, dizziness,and extraordinary fatigue, Vi was finally admitted to the hospital on Friday, December 4th with breathing complications. A chest x-ray revealed that he had Covid pneumonia and he was immediately given steroids and Remdesivir. For 16 long days Vi endured the frightening uncertainty of his weakening lungs - he didn't know when the next attack would hit, when he would have to frantically keep pushing the call button for a nurse to come raise his oxygen assist. On one occasion he even had to call his brother on the phone in a panic for help because the nurse wasn't coming. Theodore had to phone the nurses station to get immediate help. Everyday brought on new complications until fevers and chills led to a CAT scan that showed the pneumonia was spreading. Towards the end, Vi said, "I can't even feel my lungs anymore."
On Sunday, December 20, Vi's oxygen dipped so low that he was rushed into ICU and put on a ventilator as he was no longer able to breathe on his own. During the intubation, his lungs collapsed because they were so weak. The doctors did all they could to stabilize him over the next week until his heart gave out. Vi endured 24 days of complete loneliness and despair. All he wanted to do was hold his children one last time. He never got the chance.
Vi was an incredible son, brother, cousin, and brother-in-law, but most of all, he cherished his role as husband, father and uncle. Vi leaves behind his wife, Chai (Cassandra), his children: Lana (14), Ellie (9) and Samuel (2) and his adult stepchildren Kaitlyn and Annabelle.
So many of you have reached out with phone calls, texts, and emails to ask how you can contribute to helping the family. This has been our blessing - to know that Vi's love and influence have touched your hearts. It is our hope that when it is safe to do so, we can come together to celebrate Vi’s exceptional life.
We, his extended family, are setting up a trust for his three young children. Vi worked tirelessly and sacrificed so much so that he could see his kids go to college one day and your donations will be one step towards fulfilling that dream.
Thank you for loving Vi and his family.
Organizer
Theresa Esparrago Lieu
Organizer
Albany, CA