Thavy Johnson

Thavy Johnson passed away at home in Des Moines on April 25, 2008 after a long illness. She will be missed greatly by her family, co-workers and friends in Des Moines and in many states and countries. She had many friends in Des Moines and was always willing to help them by cooking and preparing for wedding and funerals as well as community social events. Her chosen profession was also cooking and she got great satisfaction from preparing food for the customers that patronized the restaurants in which she worked. She was a member of the Iowa Asian Alliance and Wat Lao Buddahavath, the Lao Buddhist Temple.
Thavy, Known as Vilai to many her friends, was born in northwestern Laos and married Wayne Johnson in Laos in June 1973. They subsequently left Laos in 1975 following the usurpation of the power by the Lao Communist Party and resettled in California. She was joined in California by her mother and siblings later in 1975. During her first year in California she enrolled at a local community college and was a member of the women’s basketball team. Their first son, Scott was born in California in 1978. In 1979 Thavy and her family returned to Southeast Asia after her husband was hired by a contractor to the U.S. Government work in the U.S. refugee processing program. While there, she obtained a job with the Ford Foundation providing cultural orientation to Lao refugees who were to be resettled in the U.S. It was also there, in Bangkok, Thailand, that their second son, Colin was born.
The family left Bangkok in May 1981 and resettled in Iowa, her husband’s home state. Thavy began working in Des Moines in 1984 when she obtained employment at Scornovacca’s. Through the years she remained very appreciative of the Vacco family, especially Lisa, for giving her the opportunity. Later the restaurant was renamed Victor’s Sports Club and then subsequently changed ownership. She loved cooking there and was grateful to Tim Edwards, the new owner, for retaining her and for all the help he gave her.
When the restaurant again changed owners she left and began working at Porky’s where she established friendship with new co-workers and with the Noah family. Her final job was at Rookies where she worked until 2007. She enjoyed working there with Drew, Joe, the owner Mark and the rest of the staff.
Thavy is survived by her husband and two sons as well as her siblings Bounmy Ma of San Leandro, CA., Sivilai Sayapathoum of Oakland, CA. and Vansy Sayapathoum of Portland, Oregon. She was preceded in death by her mother who passed away in California in April 2006. Her father, a Captain in the Royal Lao Army, was killed during the war in Laos.
A Buddhist ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave, Des Moines.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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