Sumiye Uesugi

Born August 19, 1924, to Kazamasu & Sada Goto, of Penryn, California, Sumiye was the fourth of five children & an only daughter. She was a studious child, excelling in all facets of her schooling, and although “delayed” because of World War II and the Internment, she finally received her diploma and prestigious Latin Award medal from Placer Union High at the top of her class. With the disenfranchisement of ‘Camp’ behind her, she resumed her studies enrolling at UC Berkeley. Those aspirations were abandoned upon Kiyoshi Shikuzawa entering her life. She & Kiyo married and focused on raising a family, welcoming five children, and working together in their business in its support. The approaching ‘empty nest’ years gave Sumi the opportunity to return to school, and in 1976, she received her RN degree in the wake of Kiyoshi’s sudden & untimely passing in 1975. Re establishing herself, Sumi then began in earnest pursuing her new career path.

A twist of fate and a serendipitous encounter through a mutual friend brought to her Arthur Uesugi of Honolulu, who in time, became her second loving husband in 1980. Moving to Hawaii, Sumi set about a new life with Arthur adjusting to and sharing in a new endeavor. In 1990, lightning struck twice with Arthur passing unexpectedly, and once more, Sumi rose to meet the challenge of unanticipated loss. Guiding the business until in 1993, she decided time had come to retire at 69. The ensuing 32 years since continued to bless her with countless moments with family, friends, and finding enjoyment in whatever she did from working in her garden, reading a good book, traveling between Hawaii & the Mainland, to cooking something special, like one of her incomparable pies or sushi. She loved Giants’ baseball, Warriors’ basketball, her dog, Rhodie, playing the slots, a good cup of coffee & doughnuts, clothes, shoes, “the Godfather”, Tony Bennett, the Eagles, & all things Japanese. Above all, she loved sharing in the lives of her children and their children. Hers was, in all ways, a life “well-loved”, having given as much as, if not more than the immeasurable amount of love she received.

Sumiye is predeceased by her husbands, Kiyoshi Shikuzawa, Arthur Uesugi, & by two daughters, Nancy Craig & Diane La Rose. She is survived by sister-in-law, Susan Goto of Roseville, CA; two sons, George Shikuzawa (Stephanie) of Honolulu, & Norman Shikuzawa of Martinez, CA; daughter, Lorraine Miura of Honolulu; six Grandchildren; two Great Grandchildren; Nieces, Nephews, and an extended “Family” of many.

A private gathering to bid her ‘Aloha’ was held at Borthwick Mortuary in Honolulu, November 3, 2025. Sumiye will be interred in a family plot in El Cerrito, CA.