Sawaye Hirokawa

Sawaye (Sue) Ogata Hirokawa passed away peacefully in her sleep June 3, 2017. She was a longtime resident of Lakewood, Colorado. Born on August 9, 1918 in Los Angelos, CA to Shikago and Wai Yamamoto Ogata, the family then moved back to Japan when she was about 6 years old. She returned to California when she married Moriichi Hirokawa in 1936.

Sawaye is survived by:

Siblings - Harue Ueki and Morito Ogata in California. Hideko Onishi, Noriko Yamasaki, and Yukiye Inouye in Japan.

Children - William Hirokawa of Lakewood, CO, Bob Hirokawa (Karen) of Littleton, CO., and Arlene Suekama (Roger) of Park Ridge, IL.

Granddaughters - Sue Anne Wieser (Ron) of Cypress, TX and Jamie McWhorter (John) of Lavon, TX.

Great grandchildren - Tayla Wallis (Logan), Alexandra Weiser, Courtney Allen (Jeremy), and Johnathan Weiser.

Great-great granchildren - Grace & Lucy Wallis.

And numerous nieces & nephews.

She is predeceased by her parents, and brother Keiso, and husband Moriichi.

Sawaye worked for the Public Service gas company. She loved to travel and has been to several continents multiple times. She was an active member of Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple and sang in the choir for many years. She also served as president of the Fujinkai women's group. Other favorite activities included writing names in Japanese calligraphy for the annual Sakura Marsuri festival, swimming, and writing Japanese poetry.

There will be a private Celebration of Life immediately following interment at Olinger Highland Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, Thornton, CO.