Shizuko "Sue" Tanaka Waters

Shizuko “Sue” Tanaka Waters, 91, of Wilmington, NC peacefully passed into the arms of our Heavenly Father on Monday, November 2, 2026, at her home in the loving care of her children. Although gone from this earth, she created a lifetime of special memories which will forever remain in our hearts.

Shizuko was born on March 30, 1935 on Sakhalin Island, located north of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Shizuko was the oldest child of Hirogi and Kiku Tanaka’s seven children. Shizuko was preceded in death by her parents, younger sisters Yoshiko, Ryoko, Yukiko and only brother Osamu of Japan.

Shizuko was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Horace M. Waters who passed away on November 13, 2022 at age 93. They were joyfully married for 63 wonderful years. Her children fondly remember their father saying that Shizuko was his beautiful precious jewel as he purchased her many beautiful precious jewels during their time together! Shizuko missed Horace greatly as love does not know its own depth until the hour of separation. For the remainder of her life she viewed videos of Horace each day to hear his voice calling her by her childhood nickname “Shi-chan” and saying “I love you”. We rejoice they are finally reunited in heaven.

Shizuko was a homemaker who greatly loved her family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Shizuko was a devout Catholic who prayed the Rosary every morning. Shizuko was known for her kindness and devotion to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church where she was a member, assisting with the Polish Festival and singing in the church choir. Shizuko will always be remembered for her beautiful smile which brightened everyone’s day.

Shizuko joyfully embraced her roles as a loving wife and wonderful mother to her three daughters and son. She was also an incredibly gifted seamstress and sewed many beautiful outfits for her daughters and herself. She was an excellent baker and famous for making her delicious homemade pound cake for the church bake sales. Shizuko had a passion for working in her large yard, her garden and tending to her beautiful roses and flowers. She is also fondly remembered for always cooking a pot of Japanese rice every day and preparing delicious Japanese dishes for her children and grandchildren to enjoy. Her passing has left a deep void in her family that simply cannot be filled. We are heart broken by her passing as she will be dearly missed but forever remembered.

Shizuko is survived by her daughters, Patricia Hargrove (Jimmy), Suzanne Price (David), Christine Edgerton (Al), son, Jeffrey Waters (Tamron), nine grandchildren: Rachel Mulkey (James), Chase Price (Victoria), Thomas Hargrove, Kelsey Edgerton, Brandon Price (Taylor), Lindsey Clark (Evan), Patrick Hargrove, Christian Hargrove, Lacey Waters and two great-grandchildren: Ambrose Myott and Emerson Clark. She is also survived by her younger sisters, Hiroko and Atsuko and numerous nieces and nephews. Shizuko also deeply cherished her dear friends especially Nancy Rivenbark VanWinkle, Mary Jo Conlogue, Yuuko Breese, Sakae Brunson and Hiroko Smith.

There will be no visitation. A private Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church with Father Steven DiMassimo officiating. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. Interment with follow in the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church cemetery beside her beloved husband.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be graciously accepted in Shizuko’s memory to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Cemetery Fund, 4849 Castle Hayne Road, Castle Hayne, NC 28429 or Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physicians Dr, Wilmington, NC 28401.

“Grief never ends…but it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith, it is the price of LOVE.”

Online condolences and memories may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com.