Mary Bich Hai Dovan

Mary Bich Hai Dovan passed away in Santa Rosa, California on March 26, 2025. Born on September 14, 1930, in Nam Dinh, Vietnam to Andrew Nguyen Duc Hiep and Anna Tran Mai Nhu, and was the eldest of 10 siblings (two of whom have preceded her in death). Mary and her husband, Hien Dovan were married in 1948 and were married 72 years before his death in 2020.

The couple and their two young sons fled North Vietnam in 1954 and settled in Saigon. There they had two more children. In 1957 Mary’s husband found employment as a language instructor at the Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterey, California. After four years of saving, he was able to bring Mary and their children to join him in the U.S.

In Monterey, Mary maintained the family household and babysat in their home. Mary also worked as a language instructor through a subcontractor of the DLI for two years. Later in the 1970’s Mary became the owner of Cecil’s Ice Cream and Pizza in Pacific Grove. Enterprising and opportunistic, she expanded the business to include Vietnamese food serving pho, fried rice, stir-fried noodles, and egg rolls.

Afterwards, Mary worked one year in San Jose in an electronics assembly line. In less than 2 months, she was promoted to be a lead employee for her bilingual skills on the job. She always kept busy, either working or helping new refugees who relocated to the area.

Mary and her husband moved from Monterey in 2012 to Antioch, then Carlsbad. Three years ago Mary moved to Santa Rosa, CA. She had an adventurous spirit and traveled overseas and all over the country to visit family and friends.

Mary could play ‘Chan’ a Vietnamese card game for hours with her family and continued to play until a few months before her death. She had a big smile that graced every photo she was in and her friendly nature made people appreciate her.

Mary’s parents and her husband predeceased her. She is survived by her 4 children: Hieu Dovan (Usha Dovan), Minh Quang Steven Dovan, Bic Ha Dovan (Robert Sargent), and Hoai Dovan (Chau Mai Ha). She had 9 grandchildren: Lani Williams, KimLan Dovan (Carlo Diaz), Lila DoVan, KimMai Jessica Dovan (Paul Cruz), KimThu Melanie Dovan (Jacinto Dominguez), Michelle Hillier (Chris Hillier), Jenny Olson (Micah Hoffman), Beverly Lee (Andrew Lee), and Emily Dovan.

She had 10 great-grandchildren. Mary was very proud of her large family and told everyone she met about her four children and their families. We will miss her radiant smile. She will be interred next to her husband in San Carlos Cemetery in Monterey.