We can all shed tears
now that mama is gone.
Instead,
smile whole heartedly because she lived.
We can pray
for mama to still be here with us.
Instead,
take a look around and see what she left us,
each other.
We can be heartbroken
that we won't see mama anymore.
Instead,
remember all the love she shared with us.
We can mourn mama
and dwell in darkness.
Instead,
share our cherished memories of her
so she can live on.
We can choose to shutdown
and close everyone out.
Instead,
open our eyes, our heart and smile.
Because that's what mama would want us to do.
FCJ 2026

A journey has taken a turn
A room full of love
with a undertone of gloom
Sadness is expected
Yet we should
set our loved ones soul free
Miss her of course
No need to worry
This is but a stepping stone
on her journey home
It's only fair to feel selfish
We want her here with us
Just close your eyes
and she is there
She is the closest 
that she has ever been
The memories we shared
are like precious keepsakes
to be treasured
Always
FCJ 2026

You were the person —— who lowered my guard;
Be willing, —— be fair,
And not be so hard.
To recognize others —— be gentle and care,
Compliant to life,
Be open; — — to share.

You were the gift —— that opened my eyes,
To be humble with others;
To live without lies.
And as the year passes;
What riches have others?
For me there is treasure,
In loving my mother.

Mom,                                                                          December 25,1983

I never knew you as the beguiling beauty
That stole my fathers’ heart;
Nor as the little girl or young woman,
Your parents’ loving part.

I only knew you
As a person —— who cared for me,
Who laughed with me,
Who scolded me,
Who protected me from harm.
The one who soothed my wounds
And brought comfort to my moods.

You were the one —— who cared when I cared,
Who cried when I cried.

You were there—— when I was proud, 
Who encouraged my success
And felt for my failures.

You wee the lady —— that gave me my brothers;
Friends to me first, 
Not playmates for others.

You were the one —— I know as a fact,
Who was Santa —— the tooth fairy,
And a woman in black.
Who gave me my sentiment, —— my sympathy,
My courage to act.

You were the woman —— who taught me with love.
Forming my feelings —— to rise up above,
To soar without limit,
To wing without force, 
To let loose emotion;
But hold fast the course.

Okaasama 

Your heartbeat was comfort.
Your breath ——rhythm.
You carried me farther than any friend.
You held me with tenderness known only to one.

You believed what others would doubt.
You felt before others could know.
We were one as two could be;
and shared a common cord.

Your voice awoke my senses.
Your voice calmed my dreams.
You shielded my rebellious antics.
You tolerated my stubborn stands.

We struggled to find our peace;
like the conflict of the oceans’ shore.
You persisted to mold my morals.
I resisted to define my soul.

Now, we live independent of each other.
Your heartbeat spans the void; with comfort.
Your rhythm has become my rhythm,
and we are two as one could be.

wt 2/18/2026

Flora Flows

Flora flows;
Friendly and helpful,
Generous and thoughtful,
She touches you like light,
That warms your coldest moments.

Flora flows;
Energetic and creative,
Humble and determined,
She lifts you like a top,
Swirling proudly thru constant motion.

Flora flows;
Serenely and gently,
Reassuring and forgiving,
She awakens you like a mirror,
Rebirth thru her reflection.

Flora flows;
Her love is like the shoreline,
The embrace of land and water,
That receives the ebbing tide,
And reclaims the shifting sands.
She is the shelter from the storm,
That calms the raging sea;
The unity of nature.

Flora flows;
For she is the water of my life,
The tenderness that smooths the cloth,
The endless rhythm of a rock.

Flora flows;
The eternal source,
The Mother in my heart.

wtt  3-12-94

Discover the joy of reflective memories,
in a compassionate field of waving poppies;
or the singular beauty of a hybrid orchid.
This is our Flora.

Partake in the lavish festivity of Spring,
the bountiful beauty of colors and textures.
Enrich yourself with the memories — — of her passage of time,
embracing her with a smile and open heart.
For Flora will embrace and enlighten you,
and become —— on subsequent visits,
a trusting — — familiar — —  Flo.


wtt  May ‘86

Flora

The return of Spring,
Nature renews itself with green foliage.
Spreading floral beauty
in high deserts, quiet pastures,
and hidden corners on suburban streets.
What better time to celebrate life?
To show respect to those who have given vision.
To bestow our love —— to our Mothers,
whose life energy kindled our thoughts;
to reflect in the light of such spectacular beauty.

To personify the uplifting smiles
on the faces of pansies;
lining the pathway to familiar thresholds.
To feel the firm pressure of tulip petals,
raising us upward —— like reassuring hands;
to hold and preserve the warmth of precious sunbeams.

Embrace with renewed joy 
at the fragrant sweetness — — of the plumeria and gardenia,
as the Sun peeks on a new day.
Glance with endearing tenderness
at the tiny begonia and gentle violet, 
in the shaded dampness of seclusion.
Rejoice in forgiving kindness
with the daisy and buttercup,
riding the gentle breeze of a Spring afternoon.
Resign with enduring understanding
at the peach and orange blossom,
sacrificially yielding fruit year after year.
This is our Flora.

Inherit the firm and unyielding strength
of the rhododendron and the yucca,
testing fortitude in inclement weather.
Sense with assurance —— the guiding hope
of the iris and lily,
sending forth vigilant comfort with singular slender.
Awe at the grandeur and stately grace
of the magnolia and cherry blossom,
guarding the avenues of justice and virtue.
Overwhelm completely with the warm compassion
of the chrysanthemum and geraniums,
dissolving the suffering with undaunted petals of comfort.
This is our Flora.

Learn the rewards —— of open generosity
with the gladiola and petunia,
blossoming with various colors of gaiety.
Reassure yourself with the lasting love
of the forget-me-not and the rose, 
in the unspoken feelings of the heart.
Relent to the subtle daydreams
of the ginger and the sweet pea,
invoking a gentle image — — framed within a ray of golden sun.

Mom’s Haiku

The embers of the Sun;
guides us into a moonless night.
Let’s dream as;
bright stars rejoice.


wtt   February 2026

Wayne’s Rememberce ( 2 of 2)
I would tell her, “No worry, leave it. Come, we go – “ikimashoo”, and she would repeat with a chuckle “ikimashoo”. I would hold her hand until we were back in the car; we didn’t use her walker there.
In the end, it became her standing, her words, and most of all her smile; that brought me joy.  She would rub my hand silently with hers and without a word, we would share a knowing and loving touch. Funny, like her song – “otete issho ni kaerimashita”; - hand in hand we returned home, to the way we originally were.
With that I have something personal I would like to share, so this is for us; Mom, You and I.
(play “Where Are You Christmas – replace Flora for Christmas)

 
Mahalo nui loa, mama; Aloha wau i a‘oe
 
Okaasan Daisuki, doomo arigato gozaimashita.

Wayne’ Remeberance (1 of 2)

Being self-centered and independent the majority of my life. It is difficulty, to imagine, that I was once held and comforted by someone else. Who could that have been? Someone who cared for my wellbeing - first? Who could be so selfless? Who fed me, clothed me, and bathed me? Who made me laugh and rejoiced in my growth; my first word?
It is easy to forget, as I would pull away from her embrace and ran off to play with my new friends. I went to school, learned things, and talked about things in ways; that left her OUT. To me, she was overindulgent and irritating. Always, nosing into things I didn’t think she had a right, too. I had forgotten where I was from; she always, remembered.
We had grown apart, but I was given a second chance, to meet a different “HER”. This time she was younger, her mind played tricks on her. At times, she would greet me as if we had been apart for years, although I would visit her two or three times a week. She would come running; hugging me, crying, asking me where I had been, and how happy she was that I was there. Sometimes, I was her brother Isao; other times I was even her “Papa”. If someone asked she would say I was her son, my name often forgotten.
I would take her “holo holo” on Fridays for “Kau Kau”, and she would practically run with her walker to my car. She would sing her favorite Japanese song from childhood, over and over again. So, many times it became like the sound of wind outside my car. She never forgot to mention to me “look at all the cars”, and I would repeat time and time again that we lived in a city; and most of the cars were in parking lots.
We ate and I would ask her - “taste good – ono; oishii desu ne?” and it always was. If I asked “you know what you stay eating?” and she didn’t recognize it, as was often the case; it became “da kine”, with a smile. When we were done I would ask her, “you all pau?” and get her up as she tried to clean the table.

She opened her home and heart to everyone we brought into the family. That was Ohana. The Hawaiian word for family that includes not just blood relatives but also friends, in‑laws, and anyone woven into the circle of love and responsibility. She accepted our diverse family with grace and joy, if you were loved by one of us, you were loved by her. There was always enough room at the table—she always found a way to make space, add another plate, and make everyone feel that they truly belonged. 

My grandma taught me that kindness is a true strength and one of life’s greatest values.  Treating people with compassion and care is one of the most important things we can do in this life.

Grandma, thank you for your love, your wisdom, and the example you set. Thank you for every moment—vacations, time in the kitchen, flower shops, celebrations, and all the simple small moments. 

We’ll remember you for your kindness, generosity, hard work, creativity, and the carry forward  your example of Ohana.

One of the sweetest ways she showed her love was through baking. Her kitchen was filled with the smell of something warm in the oven—lemon bars and chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies became family favorite. You knew you had made the circle of family when you left with a bag of them. 

Flowers were another language of love for her. I remember helping her each summer in San Diego and then in Las Vegas at the flower shops she worked at. Sweeping up the leaves, stems, and slowly working up to tying ribbons and bows. I eventually graduated to making boutonnieres. I can still remember telling her she would be responsible for my wedding flowers. And she did it - for my wedding - both the traditional and Hindu ceremonies. I don’t even remember being part of the planning - she knew exactly what I would love. She embraced the challenge of creating beautiful floral designs for the traditional Hindu wedding, blending her artistic vision with our cultural traditions so the arrangements felt both personal and meaningful. Every petal and garland reflected her care, pride, and joy in celebrating with us.  

She turned her love of plants into a passion for gardening, proudly showing her veggies and sharing her joy in watching things grow. Her garden, like her home, was always warm and welcoming.

My name is Kiyomi Chandra, and I am the granddaughter of Flora Tsuma. Today I have the honor of sharing a few memories of my grandmother, a person whose life was defined by kindness, generosity, hard work, creativity, and a deep belief in family and togetherness.

From my earliest memories, my grandmother Flora was always thinking of others first. She made everyone feel noticed and cared for, with a warm smile or a small kindness that meant the world to us. She believed family was something you showed up for, and she lived that every day. The door to her home was always open and she would have a smile on her face ready to have you come in.

I was lucky when I was young to spend vacations with her. We travelled to Hawaii often, visiting family. I saw her gift of connecting with family and friends from my toddler years. Even on vacation, she carried her love of family and hard work with her—I learned how to prep in the family catering business, the downstairs kitchen was never quiet with someone yelling directions and guidance, and at the end of the work - the reward of riding in the “lunch wagon” and eating spam musubi. Hawaii was where we would have fried reef fish, ice with fruit juice, and any other goodie we could make. Every moment we spent together became a happy memory, full of laughter and family stories. I watched her move through the world with curiosity, joy, and an open heart. She could connect with anyone, and her conversations always made people feel important.

My grandmother also taught me the value of hard work, not by lecturing, but by example. She worked tirelessly, from nursing when I was a toddler, to time spent in flower shops creating beautiful arrangements with her hands, to carefully preparing traditional holiday foods that brought our family together year after year.

Flora’s Life History (continued)

When Shoji retired from the US Air Force, the family settled in Gardena, California, where Flora helped her sister, Ida, at her Okazu Ya restaurant. After Ida sold her restaurant, Flora restarted her nursing career at Gardena Memorial Hospital working the night shift in the Emergency Room so she could spend her days caring for her children. She continued to nurture her creativity by arranging flowers and building her talents in ikebana. After another move to Rancho Bernardo and later to Las Vegas, Nevada, Flora turned her floral skills into a small business, creating arrangements for weddings and other special occasions. With the help of her son-in-law, Flora built and decorated the mandap for her granddaughter Kiyomi’s Hindu wedding to Ravi. 
After Shoji’s passing, she & Ida again worked together at Las Vegas Jerky and finally at Quest Medical Laboratories. After a few years, Flora retired and moved to Westminster, California, to live with her youngest son, Clyde. Flora returned several times to Las Vegas to help the Torrance Cymbidium Society at the Annual Orchid Show held at the California Hotel. She lived with Clyde until she returned to Las Vegas and entered the Memory Care unit of Oakmont at the Lakes on January 14, 2022. 
Despite the challenges of aging, Flora brought warmth and humor into her surroundings. She affectionately referred to her care community as her “big house” and looked forward to Fridays when Wayne would take her to breakfast. Special times were still celebrated surrounded by family at Faye’s home. Flora’s brother Richard, her childhood playmate, joined her at Oakmont at the Lakes and they would visit and reminisce about their childhood on Kauai. She would have him join her in singing Yuyake Koyake (the song they sang when leaving Japanese school). She loved seeing family and took pride in living long enough to celebrate her 95th birthday. Flora passed away on January 2, 2026.

Flora’ Life History

Flora Mitsue Tsuma, née Maruyama, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was born on March 9, 1930, in Ko’olau, Kauai, Hawaii. She was the third child of Kazuhiko (Miyazaki) Maruyama and Yoshi Nakakura Maruyama. She had three brothers; Ernest, Richard, & Albert and one older sister, Ida.
Flora’s early years were spent on Kauai. She used to tell how she tried to follow her dad & older brother Ernie & ended up napping in the cane field, until she was found by a neighbor. She enjoyed walking to school with friends and cousins and playing with her younger brothers. After school she would help her family by taking orders and selling baked goods her mother made to the plantation workers.
Flora later moved to Honolulu with her parents and attended Farrington High School. In her senior year she took nursing classes, eventually returning to Kauai to finish her training and become a licensed vocational nurse at Wilcox Hospital in Lihue. 
Flora returned to Honolulu where she met and married Shoji Tsuma on February 16,1952, at the Ft. Shafter Chapel, Hawaii. They shared almost 46 years of marriage until Shoji’s passing on February 13, 1998, in Las Vegas, Nevada. 
Flora moved often as Shoji served in the US Air Force. Their four children were born across different states and countries, depending on Shoji’s duty station. While Flora lived in Fukushima, Japan, for two years, she studied ikebana floral arranging and earned her certification. When she joined Shoji in Spokane, Washington, she restarted her nursing career working with special needs patients at Lakeland Village. When she followed Shoji to Dreux AFB, France, and then RAF Molesworth, England, she was unable to work outside of the home. When they and their four children returned to Stead AFB, Nevada, Flora restarted her nursing career first at St. Mary’s Hospital in Reno and later at State Mental Hospital in Sparks.

My deepest sympathy to Faye, Wayne, Bruce, Clyde and everyone who loved Auntie Flo.
She was the kindest, and most caring neighbor.
I remember once we had to take our obachan to the ER and Auntie Flo was working that night, she took such good care of us,  I remember being so amazed at how she was like the "Boss" nurse of the ER.

You always left your door open for us.  Rest in eternal peace.  You will be missed!
Our condolences, The Sugimoto family
Myra, Susan and Glen

Aunty was ALWAYS smiling and so kind, generous, and loving! In all my life I don’t remember her or her siblings in any other way. We are so blessed to be a part of the Maruyama family!  Love and hugs to Faye, Wayne, Bruce, and Clyde. We rejoice in knowing that she now joins our dad , uncle Albert, uncle Richard, and aunty Ida in heaven! They are together again with grandpa and grandma!

OBITUARY

Flora Mitsue Tsuma

March 9, 1930 – January 2, 2026

Palm South Jones Mortuary

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