DORCIE ATSUKO NOHARA SAKUMA Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Dorcie’s motto was "Life is short, enjoy it." While her life seemed too short, she filled it with great adventures and experiences, love and laughter, and an abundance of friends who loved her dearly. Dorcie was born in Tokyo, Japan to Katsuya Nohara, an executive with Japan Airlines, and Toshi Sato Nohara. She spent her childhood and young adulthood living in Japan, Hawaii and Maryland and learned to adapt to different languages, cultures, and environments with every move. A 1964 graduate of University High School, Dorcie attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she graduated with a degree in Asian Studies. Through her involvement in the Wakaba Kai sorority and interactions with the East-West Center she formed many lasting friendships. Following graduation, Dorcie was employed as a Stewardess for Pan American World Airways where she enjoyed experiencing distant lands and cultures and was proud of the quality of service she and her colleagues provided passengers. In 1971, she married Paul Sakuma at the Nuuanu Congregational Church and later moved to Maryland. Dorcie was "Super Mom" to their children Craig and Katie – efficiently managing the family household, preparing delicious meals, and always finding the time and energy to support her children’s academic studies and athletic pursuits. Dorcie returned to Japan in 1988 for Paul’s new job assignment in Tokyo. Her fluency in Japanese language and culture enabled her to help others in the expatriate community and at the American School in Japan by serving as a cultural bridge. Dorcie returned to Maryland in 1993 and maintained her tie to Japan through the Washington-Tokyo Women’s Group and reunions with ASIJ students and parents. Dorcie returned to Honolulu in 2007 to be closer to her parents. She enjoyed golfing with the Bay View Dames, birding with Audubon Society, and volunteering at the Hawaii Humane Society, from which she adopted her beloved lizard-hunting dog, Fiona. She reconnected with high school classmates, sorority sisters, and the Pan Am community and became active in UHS reunions, Wakaba Kai Foundation, and World Wings International. Dorcie was a passionate foodie who enjoyed street food, haute cuisine and the occasional Zippy’s Zip Pac. She was also a friend and patroness of up-and-coming Honolulu chefs. She and Paul explored the world with friends during epic excursions throughout Asia, Australia, Mexico, Central and South America, and Europe. Dorcie immersed herself in experiencing and appreciating local food, culture, history and nature. In recent years, one of her more frequent destinations was Oakland, California, where her grandsons felt the warmth of her love and knew her as Baba. Her life was characterized by her generous service to all those fortunate to have come within her orbit. Over the years she played many roles: wife, mother, grandmother, caregiver, friend, club and organization officer, volunteer and so much more. Throughout all, she freely shared her intellect and wisdom, knowledge of languages and cultures, sense of humor and sharp wit, her compassion, culinary skills, and love and affection – all for the benefit of others. Dorcie leaves behind her husband, Paul; her son, Craig and his fiancee, Kiran Hudka; her daughter and son-in-law, Katie and Jeff Moore, and her grandsons Dylan and Jonathan; and, her beloved dog, Fiona. She is survived by siblings Anne Abaya, Mary Noriko Nohara and Steve Nohara. A memorial service will be held at Hosoi Mortuary on November 25, with visitation at 1 p.m. and service at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks those who wish to honor Dorcie’s memory, to please make a donation to Doctors Without Borders. Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary |