In Loving Memory of Our Beloved Mother
Tram “Sinky” Dien Goodman
With heavy hearts and profound gratitude for a life well lived, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and true friend. Tram Dien Goodman (“Sinky” to friends), of Princeton, Texas, passed away on Monday, June 22, 2026. She will always be remembered as a loving mother, great friend and fabulous chef to all that knew and loved her. She was born on February 4, 1929, in Saigon, South Vietnam to Phu Tram and The Luu.
Our mother lived a life defined by kindness, resilience, generosity, and unwavering love for her family. A devoted Buddhist, she carried her faith quietly but deeply, treating everyone she met with compassion, respect, and an open heart. She believed in helping others, offering comfort where she could, and finding joy in life's simple blessings.
To know her was to know her cooking. She was a remarkable self-taught chef whose Chinese dishes brought family and friends together around her table. Her chow mein, fried rice, spring rolls, dumplings and pork buns, and countless other specialties were made entirely from memory. She never used measuring cups, never wrote down recipes, and rarely followed instructions. Somehow, every dish came out perfect. Her kitchen was where love was expressed, stories were shared, and memories were made.
She never met a stranger. Whether speaking with lifelong friends or someone she had just met, she welcomed everyone with warmth, laughter, and genuine interest. Her gift for conversation and her infectious sense of humor made people feel comfortable and valued. She cultivated friendships that lasted decades, and her loyalty to those she loved never wavered.
She had an incredible eye for beauty and style and delighted in helping others choose clothing, accessories, and makeup.
Long before fashion magazines and social media trends, she seemed to instinctively know what looked elegant and timeless. Her beauty, confidence, and sense of style remained with her throughout her life.
She taught us many things: to be kind to everyone, to share what we have, to welcome others into our homes, to laugh often, and to never underestimate the power of a good meal made with love.
While our hearts are broken by her passing, we find comfort in the countless memories she leaves behind—the aroma of her cooking, the sound of her laughter, her thoughtful advice, her generosity, and the unconditional love she gave so freely.
Her legacy lives on in her four daughters (Lekinh, Leha, Leewa and Leyna aka “Nina”); seven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, and in all those fortunate enough to have called her a friend. Her family was the center of her world, and she devoted her life to nurturing those she loved.
May she find peace on her journey, may the merit of her good deeds guide her onward, may she be free from suffering, and may her memory continue to guide and inspire us.
Forever loved. Forever missed. Never forgotten.
Funeral service will be held at 9:00 am Central Time on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. Interment will follow in Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on Saturday, July 18m 2026 at 1:00 pm Eastern Time.
Our mother found joy in the simple beauty of red roses, her favorite flower. In her memory, those who wish to honor her life are invited to send red rose arrangements or speak to Ridgeview Florist located to the funeral home:
Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home
Attn: The Family of Tram Dien Goodman
2525 Central Expressway North
Allen, TX 75013
Your love, prayers, and support during this difficult time mean more to our family than words can express.