Theresa Kiyoko Sakuma, 96, of Anderson, California, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2025, on the threshold of the vernal equinox. A time of balance between light and dark, the equinox symbolizes transition—suggesting a harmonious passage from one realm to the next.
After an exceptionally long stay in home hospice, Theresa seemed to be preparing for her journey. Over five months, she gradually let go—eating and drinking less, until even water barely passed her lips. On her final evening, her granddaughter Lilla tenderly shaped and polished her nails. The next morning, Sadie, her bather, and Grayson, her nurse, visited. With the help of her daughters, Hebe and Angela, she received a gentle hair wash and towel bath, rousing only briefly from her deep slumber. Then, once her body was tucked into a soft, warm bed and the room had fallen quiet, she chose that still moment to take her final leave. Theresa found her passageway to the next realm.
Born into this earthly life on June 14, 1928, in Port Blakely, WA, Theresa was the beloved mother of Sara Sakuma, Tess (Taylor-Dunlap), Hebe (Bradley), Echo (Compton), Angela (Thomas), and Jim Sakuma, and a cherished grandmother to 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Shinobu Dale Sakuma, in 2004.
Among her many loves, vanilla ice cream was at the top of her list. Also in the running were birdwatching, big cat videos, Lawrence Welk, and Halloween dress-ups.
A Celebration of Theresa’s Life is planned for June 14th, 2025.
