Sueko Nakashima's Obituary
Sueko Nakashima 88 passed peacefully in her home on Oct 3, 2023. Born Jan 13, 1935, to Gisoku & Kana Oshiro (predeceased) and was raised in Hayashi Camp, Waikapū along with her siblings Seimo (predeceased), Norman Yoshinobu (predeceased), Claudia Akiko Phillips (predeceased), Mitsuo Oshiro (predeceased), Noboru Oshiro (predeceased), Richard “Kayo” Masakichi, and Hitoshi.
Sue was a proud Baldwin Bear graduate, class of ‘54 and could be heard robustly singing the alma mater when engaging with former alumni.
She married Andrew Nakashima on Aug 7, 1956, and had four children, Lynne (Larry) Schildmeyer, Ty Nakashima, Reef (Danielle) Nakashima, Jay (Elaine) Nakashima. With grandchildren Joey, Jake, Justin, Stephanie, Brandy-Lee, and Jonathan, and great grandchildren Kalino, ‘Ano’i, Hala’i, Max, Adrie and Laurence.
Her first job was as a waitress at Tasty Crust. Then she fulfilled her calling for 30 years at the Ben Franklin “toy department.” Even until her last days people would come up to her, recognizing and engaging her with fond memories of “Aunty of The Toy Department.”
She was known as “Mommy” to everyone young and old alike. Always very gracious and kind, she never had a bad thing to say about anyone. She was known to burst into song and always loved to dance at Iao Valley’s Velvet Needle and Ka’anapali nightclubs with Daddy.
Upon her retirement she enjoyed going holo holo seeing the island and was known to enjoy her favorite treat, a McDonald’s soft serve ice cream cone.
Mommy lived a very happy and peaceful life with many friends and acquaintances dear to her heart. In her later years, she enjoyed the company and staff at Nisei Veterans / Ocean View Adult Daycare. She would look forward to the fun and fellowship of its wonderful program with the friendly and caring staff.
As Mommy lived her days with a song in her heart, a joyful spirit, and the peace of knowing the Lord, we, the family of Sue Nakashima, wish to share a heartfelt mahalo and gratitude to all the kind staff and service providers at Nisei Veterans / Ocean View Adult Daycare, Nakamura Mortuary, friends and relatives for your kind expressions of sympathy, encouragement, support, generosity, kokua, and aloha shown to us during our recent bereavement.
The Nakashima ‘Ohana
What’s your fondest memory of Sueko?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sueko?
Share a story where Sueko's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sueko you’ll never forget.
How did Sueko make you smile?