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Shizuko Onaga Nakamoto, a.k.a. Shichan, died at the age of 102½ years on May 7, 2023 in Issaquah Washington with her daughter Joan Sugiyama and son-in-law Sam Sugiyama by her side. Shizuko, the eldest child of Goze Ahagon and Sukeushi Onaga, was born on November 10, 1920 in Wailuku, Maui. As the eldest of nine siblings she was a steady role model for her seven younger sisters and only brother. Shizuko trained to be a seamstress and she used these skills throughout her life. In 1947 Shizuko moved to Oahu and married Charles Tokuhide Nakamoto. Together they raised four children on Coconut Island where Charles worked for the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. Not only did Shizuko rise to the challenge of raising four children on an island accessible only by boat but she also worked for the Edwin Pauley family when they hosted friends and dignitaries on the island. When her own children were grown, she helped with her 12 grandchildren. She also enjoyed her 13 great grandchildren. Upon retirement in 1985 Shizuko and Charles moved to the mainland to be closer to their children and grandchildren. For many years they enjoyed traveling with family and friends to Europe, Alaska, Hong Kong, Japan, Okinawa, throughout the United States and through the Panama Canal for the best cruise of their lives. After Charles’ death in 2003 Shizuko lived independently in Lomita, California for 10 years where she enjoyed time with her children, grandchildren, extended family and many friends. In 2013 Shizuko moved to Issaquah Washington to be closer to her daughter Joan. In 2020 Shizuko moved into the Sunrise community in Issaquah where she enjoyed daily exercise classes, baking projects and other activities and frequent visits from family. Shizuko was preceded in death by her Mother, Goze Ahagon, her father, Sukeushi Onaga, her husband, Charles Tokuhide Nakamoto, her brother James Ichiro Onaga (Adele), her sisters Lillian Toyoko Onaga Nakanishi (Paul), Sumiko Onaga Higa (Kiyoshi), Gayle Hideko Yamashiro Gilbert (Fred and John Steven Meyer), and her grandson Alan Isamu Hayashida. Shizuko is survived by her sisters Betty Yamashiro Chang(Vernon), Tomiko Yamashiro Higa, Jayne Setsuko Yamashiro Teruya, and Amy Midori Yamashiro Matano, her children Gary Kazuo Nakamoto (Judy), Robert Mitsuo Nakamoto (Kathy), Joan Naomi Sugiyama (Sam), and Eric Hideo Nakamoto (Angela), by 11 grandchildren, 13 great- grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews and in-laws. She will be missed by all who knew her for her dedication to keeping the family close, for her amazing banana cream pie, chicken hekka and potato salad, and the steady, supportive presence she had in each of our lives. Services pending. |
