Thinh Thi Steinhardt

Thinh Thi Steinhardt of West Lafayette, Indiana passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at IU Arnett Hospital following a brief illness. She was born the daughter of her father, Nguyen Van Lien and her mother Nguyen Thi Rot in Saigon, then a part of French Indochina, on December 4, 1940. She graduated from Van Hoa Quan Doi High School in Saigon as first in her class and passed the Baccalaureate 1 examination. She enrolled in Caritas College also in Saigon where she studied nursing. Her father developed a serious illness and she felt a need to earn money for his care. She left her college studies and applied for employment with the United States Embassy in the Republic of Vietnam. She was hired to work in the Provincial Office in Bien Hoa, Vietnam. Her capacity with Vietnamese and English languages as well as her thoughtful manner made her a valuable part of the office. She was greatly admired by all who met her and particularly one US Army Engineer Lieutenant who was fascinated by everything about her. He gave her his address when he left Vietnam with the suggestion she could write to him, if she was willing. Miracles do happen. She wrote within a month and that began a courtship by mail. Both Thinh and her American friend were from very conservative families, but after three years of letter writing, marriage was contemplated. Plenty of forms and bureaucracy later, she arrived in West Lafayette, March 2, 1973. She married Gary C. Steinhardt on May 27, 1973. The couple had two children Angela Aimee born on May 30, 1976 and Sarah Jane born on January 13, 1979. Family was the most important thing in life for Thinh. She valued her time supporting her daughters and gained satisfaction from their accomplishments. Family was even more special when she was joined by her father who lived with her. Her daughters gained so much by the wisdom shared by both Thinh and Grandpa. Thinh is survived by her husband Gary and daughters Angela of Milton, Massachusetts and husband Jonathan Sobieski. They have four children Jolie, Jacqueline, Jonathan Jr. and Joel. Also surviving is her daughter Sarah of Martinsville, Indiana and husband Curtis Reiger. Also surviving are her brother Thomas Thao Nguyen and his wife Hao Do Nguyen of Rialto, California. In addition, she is survived by their son Philip Nguyen, of Redondo Beach, California. She is also survived by three nephews, Ta Quan, Ta Hao and Ta Hiep of Gilroy, California. Other survivors include nieces Ho Thi Mong Trinh of Houston, Texas and Ho Thi Thu Van of Singapore and nephews Ho Huu Phuong and Ho Nguyen Vu of the former Saigon, Vietnam. Thinh had wonderful times with special friends Philip and Nancy Harlan and Tong and Ha Tran. She was predeceased by her parents and sisters Nguyen Thi Hien and Nguyen Thi Hue. She also mourned to loss of her niece Ho Kieu Hanh. Friends may call at a visitation from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm PM on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the Soller Baker West Lafayette Chapel located at 1184 Sagamore Parkway West in West Lafayette, Indiana. Private burial will be at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens in West Lafayette. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.