Ann Marie (Malenky) Nakpairat, age 86, of Frisco, Texas, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, November 28, 2022. She was born on February 22, 1936 in Drums, Pennsylvania to Mary (Rusinko) and John Malenky. Ann grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania with brothers Joe, Eddie, and John.
Ann was the first of her family to go to college, where she earned her nursing degree. It was while working as a nurse that she met her husband of more than 60 years, Sopon Nakpairat, during his medical residency. After marrying, Ann and Sopon move to Nakonsawan, Thailand in 1962, where she helped her husband build what was at the time one of the largest and most modern hospital outside of Bangkok as well as a nursing school. They spent eight years there, during which time Ann became fluent with the Thai language and familiar with its culture. Ann and Sopon would often host and entertain U.S. service members and Peace Corps volunteers during this time, and many of those relationships continued until their passing. In 1970, they returned to the U.S. where Ann obtained her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania and later taught nursing at Murray State College in Tishomingo, OK. She also managed Sopon’s office and medical practice in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Ann enjoyed traveling, cooking large holiday meals, collecting Peanuts items especially Snoopy, entertaining, and cultivating life-long friendships. She was a lifelong devout Catholic, an avid reader, and enjoyed solving crossword and Sudoku puzzles, collecting antique furniture, and spending time with her family. She also served on a hospice board, helped start a women’s shelter, and enjoyed being a part of a woman’s literary group, a garden club, and the alter society at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ardmore, OK. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many.
Ann goes now to see her mother again whom she lost at a young age, her father, brothers, old friends, and beloved pets. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Malenky, and her brothers, Joseph, Edward, and John. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all those who knew her.
Ann is survived by her children, Nida Von Gillern and her husband, Jack, of Plano, TX, Mike Nakpairat and his wife, Roberta, of Arlington, TX, and Jim Nakpairat and his wife, Sharon, of Ann Arbor, MI; grandchildren, Ben Tompkins, Abby Goodwin and her husband, Kyle, Madeline Tompkins, Emma Nakpairat, and Molly Nakpairat; step-grandchildren, Noelle Appel and Natalie Appel; great-granddaughter, Kylie Ann Goodwin; and niece Joann LoPresto.
She was soon followed in death by her beloved husband, Sopon, who passed away eight days after her.
A private family memorial service will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, December 28, 2022, followed by an inurnment at Ridgeview West Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Faith Presbyterian Caring Fund.