Extra Credit: Obituary

Minh Pham, a Santa Clara resident for 25 years, died on January 10^th after choking on her dinner. She was 68 years old.

Pham, who was born in Santa Clara, Calif., on August 24, 1987, spent her life following her passion for food and travel. She landed her dream job at the age of 25 when the Travel channel offered Pham her own show. On her show, “Curbside Cook,” Pham traveled across the world, eating at local restaurants and exploring different cities.

Her favorite country to visit was her homeland, Vietnam. It was where she filmed the first and last episodes of her show, and where she seemed most exuberant. Her love for the country’s food and people are evident in how both transcended her professional and personal life.

One of three daughters, she was very close to her family. Between tapings of her shows, she could always be found at either her grandmother’s house or her own. Her cousins and sisters also frequently guest starred in her T.V. shows.

An alumni of San Jose State University, she majored in journalism and received a minor in radio, film and television. During her four years at state, she was part of the school’s film production society. Pham credits the beginnings of her T.V. career learning in the old T.V. studio at the university. She also worked as a Peer Advisor for the student services program, ASPIRE, which helped underprivileged students graduate college.

With success at such an early age, Pham decided to create her own campaign that would encourage more women in the media business. She started a summer camp that brought hundreds of aspiring female directors, actresses, writers and musicians together to learn more about their craft. She also created scholarships that served the same group.

Pham also created a charity that partnered with her successful show called, “The Curbside Cook’s Cause,” which focused on helping food programs and donating money to charities across the world.

Though her life has passed, her kind and generous spirit will continue on with the support from her family.

The memorial service will be held at 1 pm, Friday, July 9^th at Our Lady of Peace with the Reverend Tuan Nguyen, officiating.