Nora Kim Nga Tang (July 29, 1968 –February 4, 2024)
Nora Kim-Nga Tang, 55, of Philadelphia, passed away on February 4, 2024, in home hospice care after a recent diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She is survived by 8 of her 14 siblings and 36 nieces and nephews. Kim Nga was born on September 27, 1967 to Tăng Trung Lương(father) and Tào Tuyết Anh (mother) in Saigon, Vietnam. In 1978, she left Vietnam on a boat with sister Kim Thoa as a refugee and found temporary refuge in Malaysia at Pulau Besar. She was then sponsored by brother Vinh Ich to live in America and was under the care of her elder siblings. After attending Great Neck South High School and Piscataway High School, she went on to Rutgers University. There, she got involved in the Vietnamese Student Association, was a beauty pageant participant, played volleyball, and enjoyed concerts, nightclubbing and skiing. She later pursued a certificate in cosmetology and worked as a professional hair stylist. To say that Nora “lived life to the fullest” is an understatement. She worked for Cindy Crawford’s hair stylist, Stephen Knoll, styling celebrities’ hair, starred in a Vietnamese Karaoke music video, found herself dancing on Good Morning, Houston, and was on the pages of the New York Times. Her favorite clients, though, were her friends and family near and far – drape, scissors, razor, and smile – ready at all times. For her, moments were precious. At age 28, Nora was diagnosed with lymphoma and was given less than 6 months to live. She received 2 stem cell transplants, a donor lymphocyte infusion and, eventually, received experimental therapy, which gave her and those who loved her another decade of her life. In 2012, Nora moved in with her brother Minh in Philadelphia, where she lived for 8 years. During this time, she received cancer treatment until finally receiving a cancer-free bill of health in 2017. Philadelphia remained home until her final days. She became a home health aide, caring for the elderly and continued to live life to the fullest. Nora was a bright light and was loved by everyone that came into her path. Those fortunate enough to be close to her knew her as someone who was genuinely kind, persistently joyful and, despite all that was going on in her life, exuded positivity. To her nieces and nephews, she was a sister, a friend, a confidante, a shoulder to cry on, and a barrel of fun. They clamored when they heard that “Aunt Nora was coming”. She was the type of person who prioritizes family over all things as evidenced by accepting any invitation to special life events, traveling, or simply spending time together. It did not matter that it meant hours-long drives in her more-than-modest van, she would drive to share precious moments. Every moment, even after most recent terminal diagnosis, was spent surrounded by loved ones from near and far (and an abundance of food!). The nonstop sleugh of visitors to her hospice bed showcased the breadth and depth of love she spread and the everlasting impact she leaves on the hearts of multitudes. Even after death, she remains with us all, in our cherished memories and in the people she has shaped us all to become. All are invited to Nora’s viewing on Thursday February 8th at McCafferty Funeral & Cremation Inc. 6711 Frankford Ave. Phila., PA 19135 (between Unruh & Knorr Sts.) from 3:00pm-4:30pm.
