Bit Vo

Bit Vo 45, of Denver CO, a loving mother, wife, sister, daughter, volunteer, activist and friend to many, passed away on June 4th after experiencing a sudden and catastrophic brain hemorrhage. Bit's life and her impact on those who knew her spanned the globe. Born in Vietnam on January 1, 1975, her family immigrated to the US after the war. The family settled in Joplin MO where her parents worked tirelessly to provide a brighter future for Bit and her siblings. Excelling in academics, she achieved the American dream and more, graduating with her first academic degree from the prestigious Journalism School at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1997. While at Mizzou, she honed her phenomenal asset of easily relating to others and making people feel loved and empowered. While a resident advisor on the international honors floor of Laws Hall, she met the love of her life, Jesse Gross who later became her husband.

After graduation, she moved to Kansas City and became a successful and respected Public Relations Professional for several corporations, eventually landing at Sprint International Headquarters. On January 24th 1999 Bit and Jesse were married in a private ceremony in Maui. They spent the next 21 years sharing wonderful adventures in the US and around the world. They experienced life in multiple US cities as Jesse worked as a traveling nurse. Their passion for travel also took them to Costa Rica, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hawaii, Mexico and Canada. In 2009, ready to pursue another career, she entered the pharmacy program at University of Missouri-Kansas City. During the 5-year program to earn her Doctorate in Clinical Pharmacy, Bit was active in student leadership, ran marathons and became a beaming new mother. Following graduation, she assumed a position with Cerner Corporation, which involved relocating her family to Denver Colorado. There they embraced the beauty of the Colorado Rockies through hiking, skiing, camping and biking, and Bit quickly rooted herself in the local community as an outgoing friend, volunteer and social activist.

Bit had a radiance in her that left an indelible impression on all who met her. This is evident by the numerous friends that she made and kept through the many phases and facets of her life. Her passion for life and her commitment to social good included organizing volunteer opportunities for her colleagues and friends, serving as an ambassador to Boys and Girls Club of Denver and R Bazaar of Denver, acting as a Mentor and Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City and volunteering at Zibby's school, the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning. An organizer at heart, she kept the family's social calendar full with large inclusive outings for her family and friends.

Quoting Elizabeth Kubler Ross: "People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within." Bit's true beauty was her kind and giving nature to which she held steadfast to in her final seconds and beyond death. She was a registered organ donor, and was able to cast her light upon at least three fortunate individuals by fulfilling her wish through the Donor Alliance.

Bit is preceded in death by her parents Mang & Cuc Vo, sister-in-law Terra Gross, and father-in-law Andy Geoghegan. Her joyous spirit will be missed by her daughter Zibby Gross, husband Jesse Gross, and siblings; Hung Vo, Anh & Thuy Vo, Dao & Kalvan Peeler, Ngoc & Walt Williams, Kim Vo, Angie Vo & Yuriy Bukatyuk, in-laws Karen Williams, Paul & Melody Gross and friends far too numerous to mention.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Zibby's Custodial College account at Commerce Bank or Wayside Waifs in Kansas City MO.

A celebration of life is postponed until it is safe to have a large gathering.

The family would like to acknowledge the incredible compassion and care that Bit and her family received at Rose Medical Center. We are eternally grateful.