We are heartbroken to announce that Soko Ikegami Schindler- dedicated wife, mother of two, and friend to many- passed away on November 20th, 2022, at the age of 90 at the Infinity Loving Home in Virginia Beach, VA.
Soko was born in Omuta, Japan in February 1932 to Umeo and Miyuki Ikegami. She was a scholar and an athlete and ran track during her adolescent years. At the age of 26, Soko immigrated by ship from Sasebo, Japan to the United States where she would spend the remainder of her life in Virginia Beach, VA. In 1958, Soko welcomed her son, Michael, and in 1960, she welcomed her daughter, Grace.
Soko worked in food service at Lynn Shores Nursing Home. She was also a seamstress for the 17th St. Surf Shop and housekeeping supervisor for the Ocean Island Hotel and Econo Lodge for several years. Her energy was boundless, and she could run circles around the young and old alike.
In November 1979, she married the love of her life, Louis Schindler, the only person brave enough to teach her how to drive a car at age 43.
Soko was a woman of faith and attended The Spirit of Jesus Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She had a beautiful singing voice and enjoyed cooking, bowling, and spending time with her friends and family. Soko had a grand sense of adventure, always wanting to be on the go. Soko could light up any room with her warmth and beautiful soul. She exuded love and joy and touched every person she met. She had a love for children and babies and would light up every time she was around them. Soko had a contagious laugh and always wore a smile. Her favorite passion was to feed her family and friends bountiful amounts of food. She will be well remembered for her superb cooking.
Soko was preceded in death by her parents Umeo and Miyuki and several of her thirteen siblings in Japan. Also by her first husband, Lee Moody, daughter-in-law Cheryl, son-in-law Larry, and step great-granddaughter Skyla.
She is survived by her husband, Louis of 43 years, her children: Michael (Kim) of Virginia and Grace (Dean) of Georgia along with her grandchildren: Rachael (Mike), Melissa (Jackson), Benjamin and Collin as well as her great-grandson, Teddy. Also, her step-children: Steve (Janice), Tina, Scott (Vickie), Andrea (Frank), Louis (Dawn). In addition, she had 13 step-grandchildren, 21 step-great-grandchildren, and 2 step-great-great-grandchildren.
A funeral service is scheduled at 2 PM on Friday, December 16th, at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home in Virginia Beach, VA. In lieu of flowers, if you would prefer to make a donation to a charity, please consider the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of her.
A special thanks to our lovely ladies: Mely, Michelle, Rizza, Penny, Janet and Nicole at the Infinity Loving Home for their dedication, compassion, and superior care they provided to our Soko.
She will be truly missed and never forgotten. God‘s most beautiful soul has been called back home.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kellumfuneralhome.com for the Schindler family.
