Mindy Hao Ta

In 2005, Ta found herself drawn into another humanitarian crisis: Hurricane Katrina. Ta stopped working at the shop and devoted herself full time to the evacuees being cared for by her church, Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic in southeast Houston.

Hanh Trong Nguyen, a first cousin of her husband, Thuong, said it was a typically unselfish act, for Ta often sent money to Vietnam to benefit the poor.

"She was a very soft lady who helped a lot of people," agreed Frank Vu, another Vietnamese ex-pat who said that over the past 26 years Ta had become one of his best friends. Their experience fleeing their country was a special bond.

"After South Vietnam collapsed, there was no freedom at all," said Vu. "We had to leave to find freedom."

Theresa Le, a close friend from the church, said Ta, 49, showed compassion in smaller ways as well.

"Before she left on the trip, she came to my house and brought me cupcakes," said Le. "I told her to keep them for the journey, but she had made them for the festival and wanted me to have some."

Thuong Van Ta was injured in the wreck but survived.