AUBURN – Be Pham Tocci-Gagne, 57, passed away of liver and bone cancer in her home on Sunday, Sept. 4, surrounded by her family and friends.

Be was born in Vietnam, Dec. 27, 1947, the eldest daughter of Van Ky Pham and Thi Duoc Le of Saigon, South Vietnam. She came to the United States in 1974 prior to the fall of Saigon, with her two oldest children, Harry and Eddy Pham, to create a better life for herself, children, and her family back in Vietnam, whom she never forgot.

With her first husband, George Tocci, who died in 1987, she had two additional children, Michael and Lisa Tocci. Be devoted herself to her children and 17 grandchildren; one more baby girl due in early December, and one great-granddaughter. Anyone who knew her or had just met her realized she was well-loved and loved many. With her second husband, Joe, she has six stepsons.

Her greatest pleasures were to have her children, family and friends around her everyday, and especially the holidays. She always had her home open since she believed in assisting and feeding all who needed a place we all called home. With her husband and many local families, she assisted the local immigrants from Togo, Africa. She supported dozens of families with finding employment at Tambrands.

Be became an American citizen in 1993. She was a member of St. Philip’s Church and very involved in the Family Group Movement.

For four years, Be owned and operated B&D Variety, at the corner of Minot and Western avenues in Auburn. Be worked at International Paper for more than 10 years, and also at Tambrands (P&G) for more than 10 years.

She loved to travel the country with her husband in their motor home. With 10 children all over the country, she always had a place to visit. One of her favorite times was to go to Chinatown in Boston and shop so she could come home and make hundreds of egg rolls for all. Anyone who had one could not just have one.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph (Ray) Gagne of Auburn; two brothers, Thuong and Tung Pham of Saigon; two sisters, Cuc and Hang Pham of Dallas, Texas; four other sisters, Hoa, Hien, Phu and Oanh Pham of Saigon; her children, Harry of Ansonia, Conn., Eddy of Los Angeles, Calif., Lisa, and Michael and wife, Stephanie, of Auburn; six stepchildren, Antonio and wife, Janice, Jean Paul and wife, Peggy, all of Lewiston, Bill and wife, Denise, and Phil Gagne of Auburn, Roland of California, and Dale of Alabama; and a small village of nieces and nephews from all over the world, since she was the second of 10 children.

She was predeceased by her parents, Van Ky and Thi Duoc Pham; her former husband, George Tocci; and her eldest brother, Van Luong Pham.

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