FIn - Thangi

On October 25th, 1963, Reverend Fin Thangi Saldanha was born in the Dephran Maternity Hospital in Ahlone, Yangon, and she was the youngest of six siblings. She was the beloved daughter of the late Mr. Than Tluanga and Mrs. S.K. Hnuni. She is survived by her husband, five siblings, nieces and nephews, three grandnephews and a grandniece.

At the age of twenty-two, Fin received her Bachelor of Arts degree in History major at the Rangoon University of Arts and Science, and her first job post-grad was to be a tutor in the History department. Later on, she continued her quest for knowledge by completing a Master's degree in history.

During an educators' retreat in Hmawbi, she met and married the love of her life, U Clement Saldanha who was a professor at the Rangoon Institute of Technology. They were married at St. Anthony's Church in Yangon, Myanmar.

Fin was called to serve God through the Christian Baptist Church of Myanmar (CBCM), where she led the congregation along with her sister and brother-in-law, Rev. Khuang Nawni and Rev. Phun Duma. At the 19th General Assembly held in Tahan, Saggaing Division from the 23rd to the 26th of February, 2006, Fin Thangi was ordained and became a reverend. As a reverend, Fin became the shepherd to the congregations at CBCM's churches. Rev. Fin has also organized with physicians and God fearing women to spread God's message through Seed Faith Ministries . One notable example of her work with Seed Faith was her fearless dedication to aid and minister to those who lost their homes and loved ones in the flooded Irrawaddy delta after Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar in 2008. While she was involved with Seed Faith and the CBCM churches, she also pursued a Master of Theology degree in 2012 from the Asia College of Ministry.

The Lord blessed her endeavors in Malaysia for several years before she came to Los Angeles in 2014. At the UCLA Medical Center, Fin underwent multiple, successful heart operations in 2014 and 2017. She became deeply involved with the Burmese Christian Fellowship as a minister in Covina. In March 2025, she embarked on mission trip to Malaysia and Thailand. On this trip, she had a heartfelt reunion with her mentor, colleagues, disciples, and friends, and she preached the Lord's teachings as her heart desired.

She was kind, curious, and always ready to help others. Fin had a joyful and boisterous laugh that could be heard several rooms over, and she had a deep appreciation for music and delicious food. Losing her has been and will continue to be a big loss for our family, friends, the Burmese Christian community and Atherton Baptist Homes.

On August 12th, 2025, Reverend Fin Thangi Saldanha, our Fin, is reunited with her parents, her two siblings, and the Lord. She is now resting in His arms in a place where there is no pain, sickness, nor sorrow. She will be greatly missed among us.