Suzuko Edith Matsuda

Suzuko “Sue” Matsuda of Visalia, passed away on December 24, 2019 at the age of 97. She was born on October 9, 1922 in Fresno, California. She grew up in Ivanhoe and graduated from Visalia Union High School.

Like many Japanese Americans residing in California during World War II, Sue was interned in Poston, Arizona, during the war from August 1942 through 1945. In 1945, Sue and her family were released and returned to Ivanhoe.

In 1950, Sue married Edward Matsuda, also from Ivanhoe. Upon their marriage, they relocated to Chicago, Illinois where both of their daughters were born. In 1957, Sue and her family returned to California and settled in San Diego where she resided until 2000. Sue had a long civilian career in the US Navy as an administrative assistant on North Island Naval Base in Coronado. She and her husband moved back to Visalia in 2000.

Sue had many hobbies and loved to sew clothing and household items, gardening, working on challenging word puzzles and crocheting. She also enjoyed travelling to Japan, Hawaii and visiting other states in the US.

She was pre-deceased by her husband, Edward, daughter Helen, parents Shinichi and Sawano Yamashita and a sister, Betty Hasebe. She is survived by her daughter, Pegi Matsuda and Larry Haworth. She is also survived by six siblings, Susie Yamashita, Aiko Hasebe, Seiji Yamashita, Hisa Yamashita, Sachi Yamashita and Nancy Yamashita and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.