75
105, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2020 at Saint Francis Hospice. She is survived by son, Miles (Sandra) Yasui, daughter, Carrie (Dennis) Kawamoto; grandchildren: Michael Kawamoto, Lauren Kawamoto, Marcia (Jordan) Kurahara, Allison Yasui, and four great-grandchildren: Paige, Keegan, Jaren, and Dayne. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Fred Yasui. Sumi was born on October 7, 1915 at Waialua Camp Mill 9, on Oahu. She attended Waialua Elementary and graduated from Leilehua HS, Class of 1933. After working for Waialua Sugar Plantation as a "hoe hana" laborer digging weeds in the cane fields, Sumi found office work much more appealing. Her resume included employment at Kahuku Hospital, Dr. Mack, Waipahu Clinic, Kawano Store and Ewa Elementary School. In 1957, Sumi was hired by the State Department of Health as an account clerk. After 20 years of service, she retired on September 1,1977 in order to baby sit her first grandchild, Michael.
Sumi and her late husband, Fred Yasui, were active members of the Waipahu Hongwanji Church. She was a past president of the Fujinkai while Fred helped maintain the church grounds and served as the master of ceremonies for many church events. Sumi was a firm believer in Project Dana which did many good things for the people in the community. She often volunteered to drive people to their doctor's appointments. In recognition of their generosity to the church, their names are inscribed on a beautiful panel that was placed on the church's ceiling among the other church contributors.
Sumi loved to sing. During her visits to her son's home, she would always ask her great-grandson, Keegan, to sing her favorite songs Bento Bako and Manuela Boy. Sumi would reward him with a big tip after his performance. At the foster care home, with her daughter Carrie playing the ukulele, and her son-in-law Dennis on the tambourine, they would sing her favorite songs such as Yuyake Koyake, You are My Sunshine, Kan Kan Musume and God Bless America. After the session, they always finished with their hands in gassho singing the beautiful Buddhist Nembutsu.
Sumi's many birthdays were always highlighted with her messages of wisdom to her family. She advised everyone to save for a long retirement, work long enough to get social security benefits and above all, Do good things and Do your best!
In closing, our family would like to thank respite caregiver, Myla Ramon, foster caregivers, Grace and Tony Reyes, Dorothea and JR and the staff of Saint Francis Hospice for the care and support they provided to Sumi.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions,
a private Memorial Service will be held at Mililani Memorial Park.
