Sachiko Katayama

Sachiko Katayama, known as “Sach”, was born in Platteville, Colorado on August 12, 1930. She was the 6th of 8 children born to Kihei and Yakuye Matsushima. She is preceded in death by her husband Hank Katayama, her son Danny Katayama, siblings, George Matsushima, Takashi Matsushima, Harry Matsushima, Les Matsushima, Edna Tanigawa (Matsushima), and Margie Miyoshi (Matsushima). She was very close to all of her siblings, especially her two sisters and her sister-in-law, Oki Matsushima (who was like a sister to her). She has one surviving brother, John Matsushima. Sachiko is also survived by her two sons Andy Katayama (spouse Kelly Freeland, children Katelyn, Addie, Kobe) and Derrick Katayama (spouse Marian Shon, child Kai).

Sach grew up on a farm in Platteville, Colorado where, from a young age, she worked in the farm fields, drove the tractor, and helped with household chores. For fun, she enjoyed playing softball, bowling, and participating in synchronized swimming. It was in one of her bowling leagues where she met her husband, Hank Katayama. They were married on October 28, 1956 and happily married for 57 years in Denver, Colorado. Together they had 3 children, Danny, Andy, and Derrick. Amidst her endless trips driving her children to their various sporting and school events, she was a prolific Tupperware Sales Manager. In her Tupperware years, she won many awards, acquired a company car, and accumulated numerous display Tupperware pieces---which subsequently filled their house. More importantly, she developed many lasting friendships with her Tupperware colleagues.

Sach and Hank had countless travel adventures together visiting their children. Sach cherished her time traveling to Japan while Danny was studying abroad, to Tennessee for Andy and Derrick’s college baseball games, to Mississippi for Andy’s doctorate graduation ceremony, to New York for Danny’s graduation from Columbia, to Hawaii for Danny’s surprise engagement, to Ohio for Andy and Kelly’s wedding, to California for Derrick and Marian’s wedding, and to Italy when Derrick was working abroad.

Despite all of her adventures, one of Sachiko’s favorite activities was to spend time with her grandchildren, Katelyn, Addie, Kobe, and Kai. She always loved hearing about and attending as many of their activities as she could attend. She was consistently their biggest cheerleader and fan, as well as that of her nieces and nephews who lived nearby: David, Eric, Kirstie, Stephi, Drew, Amber, Rebeka, Alex, Joe, Bryce, Keegan, and Desiree. She was everyone’s favorite Auntie and everyone was her favorite.

Sach was a very social person and an amazing cook and hostess. Aside from the time she mistook sugar for flour when making gravy, her dishes were so creative and delicious. Even though she was always the life of the party, she also made sure everyone felt welcome and was well fed. If you were at a family dinner gathering and happened to walk by her with an empty plate, she would say, “You need to put something on your plate. Here I’ll help you!”

In recent years, she developed a special bond with Marian, her daughter-in-law, and Christina Shon, Marian’s sister. During the Pandemic, after Sach moved into Derrick and Marian’s home, Marian and Christina became her primary caregivers, tending to her daily needs, cooking her favorite dishes, watching episodes of Gilmore Girls, and just chatting. During this time, Sach needed and received so much help from her family and friends. Sach’s family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to all of those who have picked her up, took her to brunch, stayed overnight with her, visited her, bought her sashimi, made her somen and soft tofu, bought her large print calendars, allowed her to live in their home rent-free, cut or curled her hair, brought her chocolates, and had been there to support our mom throughout the years.

In Sach’s wonderful 92+ years, she has had a positive impact on many people’s lives. Many of you own Tupperware that she sold or gave to you, saw her in the stands of your game or recital, received a birthday gift from her, ate her turkey gravy, or have a running joke with her. She has a way of making everyone feel special because everyone *was* special to her. She’s touched many family and friends, literally--- she likely carried you when you were a baby, hugged you with her strong bear hugs, held your hand when you needed reassurance, tickled you when you needed a laugh, or even playfully punched you in the arm, just because. All of us, who have known her during her amazing life, whether we have referred to her as Mom, Grandma, Auntie Sach, Sachi, or Mrs. Katayama, she considered us her family.