Sakae Bingham

She passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026 in Rialto, CA surrounded by the love of her family, leaving behind a legacy of devotion, strength, and deep love for those closest to her.

While working at a mini mart on the Marine Corps base in Japan, Sakae met the man who would become her husband, Norman Bingham. Their meeting sparked a love story that would carry her across the world. Not long after, Norman and Sakae were married, they moved to the United States to begin their life together.

Sakae was very strong in her Catholic faith and was a devoted parishioner of St. Thomas More Catholic Church for over 50 years. She attended Mass faithfully with her husband, children, and grandchildren, passing down the importance of faith and family through the generations.

Sakae was such a fun and happy person. She may have been tiny in stature, but she was truly mighty in spirit and was always up for an adventure. She loved playing bingo and taking trips to the state line or straight to Las Vegas—gambling was practically a sport for her.

She also enjoyed staying active and was a longtime member of 24 Hour Fitness, where she loved attending aerobics classes. She loved spending time outdoors fishing with her son Ronald, creating many special memories together.

Sakae had a heart of gold and loved everyone she met.

She never let anyone say goodbye without a hug, a kiss, and the words “I love you”—a small gesture that meant everything to those who knew her.

She was known for her natural beauty and grace. Her complexion always glowed, and she proudly wore her short gray hair without ever coloring it. She loved treating herself to Estée Lauder, keeping up with her bi-weekly hair and nail appointments, and making sure she always had a beautiful tan. She would happily lay out in her backyard in a two-piece swimsuit well into her 80s, embracing life with confidence and joy.

Although Sakae was born in Gifu, Japan, she didn’t come to the United States bringing traditional Japanese cooking with her. However, every one of her grandchildren will say that no one made Top Ramen like Grandma. She wasn’t much of a cook, but she was definitely a snacker—she loved her Cheez-Its and oatmeal pies.

Sakae was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who cherished her family above all else. She is survived by her four children, Bernice, Ronald, Susan, and Joann.

She also leaves behind six grandchildren: Alex, Marissa, Lauryn, Jonah, Adam, and Phillip.

Her legacy continues through her six great-grandchildren: Noah, Kiyomi, Atlas, Samuel, Elijah, and David.

During the final chapter of her life, Sakae was able to remain in the comfort of her home. This allowed her children to lovingly care for her and share precious time and memories together. She passed away peacefully in a room filled with love, surrounded by those who held her closest in their hearts.

The family would also like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses, CNAs, social workers, hospice teams, and caregivers who assisted in Sakae’s care along the way. Your compassion and support during visits brought comfort to both Sakae and her family, and we are truly grateful for the role each of you played during this time.

Sakae is now reunited with her beloved husband and rests in the presence of our Heavenly Father.

Though our hearts are heavy, we find comfort knowing she lived a life filled with love, faith, laughter, and family. The memories she created and the love she gave will remain in our hearts forever.

“Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother will be deeply missed.

Our souls will miss her deeply, but her love and faith will continue to guide us until we meet again.