Hau Bentley

Hau H. Bentley (Hoàng Thi Hậu), of Torrington, wife of the late Lt. Colonel Henry D. Bentley, died Saturday, March 4, 2023, surrounded by her family. Born in South Vietnam on July 28, 1941, Hau met Henry during the Vietnam War (her, a hostess in an Officers’ Club – him, a retired Air Force Veteran teaching English as a second language). In April 1975, as her homeland crumbled around her during the Fall of Saigon, they married and Henry adopted her six Vietnamese children, Nhung Pesce (partner Sebby), Vuong Nguyen (wife Huong), An Nguyen (wife Loan), Hoa Nguyen, Nychelle Hallock, and Mark Nguyen. Days later, they escaped during a frantic airlift and immigrated safely to the United States, where her seventh child, Raymond (wife Kate) was born. Hau was no stranger to hard work and she loved nothing more than cooking for others. So, in 1981, she opened the first all-night (and morning) restaurant in Torrington, The Upper Room, where people from all walks of life congregated. Upon retirement, she enjoyed traveling and spending time with family. She volunteered at local churches and cooked countless times for parishioners and priests at The Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield. Hau could be seen walking nearly every morning in her neighborhood and then riding her motorcycle to do daily errands, including to her favorite grocery store. Her family always looked forward to her meals of phở and chả giò made from scratch that no one could ever replicate. Hau had a playful and generous spirit. She loved joking, dancing, and karaoke. At any party, you could easily find Hau in a shimmering dress, moving throughout with her family and friends. She lit up the room with her smile and style. Hau was never underdressed for any occasion and her hair and makeup were always meticulously done. While Hau loved her home in Connecticut, her love of Vietnam was strong and never faded. Every year, for over 30 years, she returned to Vietnam for as long as three months at a time to visit family and friends, donating her time and money. She especially loved to stay in the beach town of Vũng Tàu, where she was a local celebrity. In addition to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, she leaves her partner and loving companion, Brian Pekrul. She also leaves her beloved sister and best friend Rang Hoang (Houston, TX) and two stepsons, Scanes and Mark Bentley (London, England). She is predeceased by her parents and sisters, who we know are now having a large reunion with Hau and Henry at the head of the table. The Vietnamese translation for Queen is hoàng hậu. We will miss you dearly, Hoàng Thi Hậu, forever our Mother and Queen. Visitation will be held at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT on Sunday, March 12 from 1-3pm. Her funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be private. Directions and online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com

Hau Bentley

July 28, 1941 - March 4, 2023