Sachiko Flaherty

On November 2 (All Souls Day) at 2:47 a.m., Sachiko, our beautiful mother, mother-in-law, and Obasan (grandmother in Japanese) was born to eternal life just 71 days after her beloved James left this beautiful and fragile world himself. Her passing was unexpected and came as a complete shock to all of us.

In Japanese, Sachiko means, “happiness.” Obasan, as she was known to us, loved and lived life to the fullest. Obasan was the embodiment of her name as she brought laughter into any life she touched and into every room she entered. Obasan was one who never knew a stranger; if anyone was in her presence, it wasn’t long before they were fed, nourished, and cared for, body and soul. Her constant questions to anyone in her midst were, “Are you hungry?” “Would you like me to make you something to eat?” and “Would you like to go to lunch/dinner?”

She cared for all of us with a great and selfless love and a sense of humor that often left everyone, including herself, in tears of laughter. We know that life has changed, not ended and in the midst of our own deep sorrow, we take some small measure of comfort in knowing that life itself could not keep Jimmy’s and Sachiko’s love separated for long.

Sachiko and James loved three children into being during their marriage - John who resides in Long Beach, CA; William who resides in Riverside and Donna who resides in Kansas City, MO.

She is preceded in death by her beloved James and her siblings, Toru, Nobuko, Tadanobu, Shimeko and grandson, William Matthew.

Obasan is survived by her children and grandchildren - Donna and her son, Mason; William and his daughter, Nicole; John and his wife, Kathy, and their children, Clare, Kennith, James, Colin and Aidan.

She is also survived by her sisters, Eriko and Kuniko and brother, Shoichi, who live in Kyushu, Japan.

May Obasan be among the very first to greet each of us when our own time is complete.

In lieu of flowers, and in continued celebration and remembrance, please consider making a donation to the:

James & Sachiko Flaherty Scholarship Fund

c/o St. Cyprian School

5133 Arbor Road

Long Beach, CA 90808

Arrangements under the direction of Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, Riverside, CA.