Kyoko (Reicho) Sumi passed, peacefully in her sleep early July 01, 2025. Born in Tokyo on July 18, 1925, her contributions are marked by the many lives she graced over the century of her lifetime. Predeceased by husband Jack as well as 6 siblings, she is survived by 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren who already miss her unique combination of elegance, wisdom, and brat. Her legacies include 7 decades of teaching Ikebana- Japanese flower arrangement, as arguably the most senior and decorated instructor on the continent.
Many decades were spent at Evergreen- where she not only sold imported Japanese wares and taught ikebana classes, but was where friends and family could find her for conversation or guidance. We often teased her as being 'the Queen of Powell Street'.
The brat in her was something we could always count on to bring levity to any occasion and bring us together. Nana, we were blessed.
