I am so sorry to have just learned of Serene's passing. I knew Serene when she was an Assistant US Attorney at SDNY. I was a Postal Inspector and our case went to trial. This was around 2000, soon after her mom's death.  Despite that, Serene did a great job and was a pleasure to work with. We lost but it wasn't because of her. A family member recently needed a lawyer and I figured Serene was enjoying being a defense attorney, was absolutely shocked to see her death. Please accept my condolences to all who loved her. In a very small way, I am one of you. Dan O'Sullivan

I realize this is over four years after Serene's passing but I just learned about this very sad event recently.   I knew Serene when we were both high school students in Oklahoma City.   

We were both part of a small group of rabble rousers in a very conservative high school.   One time to make a point about some of the ridiculous rules in the school, we both wore identical hats to the cafeteria at lunch time.  The school, had at the time a rule that girls could wear hats in the cafeteria, but boys could not.  When the lunchroom monitor approached me and asked me to remove my hat, I asked if Serene also had to remove hers, when the monitor told me that should did not, I refused to remove mine.  She then marched me off to the principal's office with Serene following for moral support.  

I maintained contact with her during her Princeton years when we both matriculated to private east coast universities and for a few years after graduation when she was living on the upper west side of New York.   

We lost contact some time in our twenties, but I still have fond memories of her.   

My deepest condolences to Serene's friends and family.

I just decided to contact you to say hello.  Ms Serene K Nakano was my boss.  My name is RAY 917-402-7050

I learned of Serena’s passing in the PAW Class Notes.  She and I were friends in college and spent many hours together in D.C. the summer after our sophomore year when we had internships there.  Serene, always a generous friend, introduced me to the movies, something I had only a lackluster interest in at the time.  I remember standing in line with her for what seemed like hours to see the summer blockbuster Jaws; walking to Georgetown to see North by Northwest and Pink Flamingos; debating the pros and cons of Robert Altman’s Nashville.  I remember fun meals in exotic- for me- places and lots of museums.  I will never forget that summer, discussing the future of politics after Watergate and Nixon’s resignation, our hopes for our own futures.  I wish we had kept in better touch.   My most heartfelt sympathies to her family. 

I just heard about Serene's passing.  I am so sorry.  We worked on several cases and  shared similar political and moral beliefs.  She was an extremely upright and honorable human and I feel honored to have known her and to have been her friend.

Russell and family:  
I worked with Serene at the USAO, SDNY.  As others have said, she was passionate, but also funny and kind.  Her presence brightened our work days.  I was so fortunate to have lunch with her a couple of years ago when I was in NYC for business.  It was fun to catch up.  I was amazed at how little she had aged and happy that she was the same smiling face in a busy city after a tiring morning in court.  Her presence once again brightened my day.  I am thankful to have known her.  


I was deeply saddened to learn of Serene’s passing and offer my sincere condolences to her family.  She and I developed a close and treasured friendship that began during my early days in the civil division and which endured throughout the years.  I shall miss her dearly.

I was lucky to get to know and work with Serene at the United States Attorney's Office.  She was a talented colleague and a true friend, who will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege of working with her.             

I am so sorry for your loss . I met Serene several years ago when she came from the US Atty office to the UST. Over the years she was assigned to several of my cases . I always found her to be pleasant and respectful while firm . One memory I have is one day after a tough hearing , I walked over to get a slice of pizza  near one bowling green and Serene was eating a slice by herself . She asked me to join and we just chatted for a while . She had a great demeanor and smile . I miss her already 

It tears at one’s heart to lose Serene. Because she was unique and passionate, it changed us to know her.  She cared so much about everything that was important and not at all about what was not.  She could make you laugh riotously while making a point rooted in deep principle.  She was never tired or bored as long as some idea was catching her fancy or she could plot her next step in some bad actor’s comeuppance. 

Tai, Ping, Serene, and I were in the Civ Div together at a time when there were very few Asian AUSAs.  We loved our Civ Div home but we we were lucky to have a home with each other too.  There was nothing we wouldn’t do for one another. 

We can’t talk about all the crazy late night food we ate (cite to Steve Froot saying Chinatown is not clean but it’s fresh) without adding that it never affected Serene.  She was always beautifully trim and turned out in her luscious clothes.  It was Serene, not Halle Berry, who invented looking two decades younger than she was, enjoying herself at her beloved beach. 

Russell, you are also central to those memories of late nights at 100 Church.  I’m so very sad and sorry for your loss.  The love that you and Serene had was also special - growing as it did from a profound respect, really awe, you had for each other.  

It’s very hard to lose Steve Bennett and Serene so close in time.  They enjoyed playing at Odd Couple (esp in size) but they both lived by strong codes and had very big hearts.  We’ll always love them both. 

I am heart broken by the loss of a great friend.  My condolences to Russell and your family.  Serene will forever be in my culinary heart.  While in the United States Attorney's Office we regularly lunched on such delicacies as goat roti and stewed honeycomb tripe, while creating unflattering nick names for opposing counsel--but always in good taste.  I'm certain Serene will be beatified and ultimately become the patron saint of FBI and DEA agents, whom she defended in Bivens actions with all of her heart.   

My deepest condolences to Russell and family. My first trial as an AUSA was with Serene. She was a great trial partner and a lovely person. I was lucky to become her friend.  

I had the pleasure of meeting/working with Serene in her capacity as trial attorney at the Office of the UST.  Serene was a kind, compassionate person, who will be missed by many.   My deepest condolences.

To Russell and family please accept my deepest condolences    Serene was indeed one of the most wonderful person I have ever met.  She was extremely caring and loving and most notably a connoisseur of all foods.   She would be forever missed.  
Val 

OBITUARY

Serene Nakano

November 16, 1955 – January 24, 2021

Riverside Memorial Chapel

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