Phung Sanh Do Ly

Phung Sanh Do Ly, 76, of Terre Haute, Indiana, passed peacefully in her sleep at home on October 6, 2021. Phung was born on October 20, 1944, in Can Tho, South Vietnam, the daughter of Cam Truong and Sanh Do. Phung was an extraordinary daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. Her remarkable life experiences and cooking skills have touched many lives, primarily through her loving heart, helping hands, ability to listen to others, enthusiasm, community involvement, and work ethic.

Phung was an intelligent and exceptional student in school and had a ten-year career as a high school math teacher in her hometown. She always dressed up in her best clothes, makeup, and hair every day and became very popular with her classmates and students. In the summer of 1968, she caught the eye of Phon Ngoc Ly. After dating for two years, they married on January 28, 1969, and stayed married for 52 years. 

Phung was loved very much by Phon, and together, they miraculously survived the immigration to the United States in 1979 with their four young children, Dean (9), Hong (7), Mai (4), and Duong (5 months old). They counted themselves fortunate as they were able to stay together as a family. With God's blessings, the Lima Methodist Church and its members sponsored and welcomed them to the USA. 

Phung was selfless, working tirelessly to provide opportunities for her children. Even after a long day of work, Phung would still have a home-cooked dinner for the family every evening. She would sew clothes, tend to the garden, make sure homework was done, and tucked her kids in bed every night with a cheerful heart. Her proudest accomplishment is having all four kids graduate from the University of Notre Dame, and of course, other post-graduate degrees! She gave of herself everything so that her children would have a better life.

Phung first introduced her Mrs. Ly's Famous Eggroll over 40 years ago in LaGrange, Indiana, their first American hometown. Phung will forever be remembered for the best eggroll in the "entire world" from all who loved Phung. Many will remember Phung hand-grating hundreds of fresh cabbage heads to make thousands of eggrolls for the county fair or fundraiser. In 1982, it first sold for three for one dollar. Recently, you cannot buy Mrs. Ly's Famous Eggroll for less than two for five dollars!

In 1995, Phung and her husband Phon moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, to open the Asian Market, a successful grocery and gift store, selling everything from live blue crabs and vegetables to frozen foods and rice cookers. Phung and Phon have owned Asian Market in downtown Terre Haute for 26 years.

For more than 20 years (since 2000), Phung has taught Asian cooking and shared her favorite family recipes in her Mrs. Ly's Cookbook. As an outstanding chef, Phung has also shared her inspiring passion for cooking with the community, both at the store during her monthly cooking classes and in private cooking events. Phung was always laughing and telling stories, often being distracted from cooking, because it was moments like this, with her friends and around food, that Phung was the happiest.

Phung is survived by Phon Ly, husband of 52 years, chemical engineer, and first lieutenant of South Vietnamese Army (Terre Haute), and their four children, two sons, and two daughters: Dean, Architect, and Regina, wife & CPA, and their two sons, Marcus and Jason (Knoxville, Tennessee); Duong, MD, and Jessie, wife, and their two daughters, Elva and Kayla (Hagerstown, Maryland); Hong, realtor, and Mark, realtor, and sons Connor and Cole (Park City, Utah); and Mai, OD, and Patrick, husband & MD, and Sophia and Eddie (Tuscon, Arizona). Phung has three brothers: Chung Do (Indianapolis, Indiana), and Trun & Phat Do (Los Angeles, California). Phung has many in-laws, friends, nieces, and nephews who love Phung so very much!

Although Phung has joined her loving Mom, Cam Truong, and Grandmother, Chau Nguyet Thach, in heaven, Phung will be missed dearly here on earth. So next time you eat an eggroll or Asian food or give of yourself, know that Phung Ly is smiling and shining her love on you. Phung Ly, may you rest in peace!

A celebration of life for Phung Sanh Do Ly will be held on Monday, October 11, 2021, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the DeBaun Funeral Home, located at 85 E Springhill Dr, Terre Haute, IN 47802; and online condolences may be left at phungly1944@gmail.com.

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