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BORN
1935
DIED
2016
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Setsuko Okamura Obituary
Redwood City
Long time Redwood City resident Setsuko Ann Okamura passed on Tuesday, March 14, 2016. Daughter of Kenzo and Sueka Yamamoto, Setsuko was born December 14, 1935. She grew up in Almaden Valley until Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 (Japanese Relocation) in 1942; the Yamamoto family was bused to Santa Anita (Race) Park and then dispatched to the Heart Mountain internment camp in Wyoming.
After the war, the Yamamotos returned to San Jose. Setsuko married Sakeye Okamura in 1957; she raised two girls and supported the family's flower ranch in Redwood City.
When her girls graduated from high school, Setsuko 's work career took off. After stints with the U.S. Geological Survey and Visa, she worked as an executive administrator at Sun Microsystems and Nihon Sun; Setsuko also served as an interpreter for Japanese trade journalists and visitors to Sun's Silicon Valley headquarters, at trade shows, and in Japan. She retired from Sun in 2000 but remained active, volunteering at Stanford Hospital as a patient liaison for the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple.
Setsuko was preceded in death by her oldest brother George. Setsuko is survived by Sakeye, her husband of 59 years, sister Mary Kiyoko, brother David Hiroshi and Mary Steichen, and daughter Mari and Dennis Hayes, granddaughter Mariko Bailey Hayes, and daughter Leslie and Mike Viveros.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Setsuko's name may be sent to a charity of your choice.
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Memories and Condolences
for Setsuko Okamura
Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.
3 Entries
Pia Steichen
March 29, 2016
with deepest sympathy
Krystle Johnson
March 27, 2016
Ann you were such a bright light when you walked into a room!! Sassy and classy!!
You had such a kind heart and were so hip to life, even though your new iPhone drove you banana, you never gave up!! You knew how to get people together, and were a great listener!! You will be missed!!
Prayers and love to your family!!
Elaine Quibelan
March 25, 2016
My deepest sympathy to you Sak and your family.
I have known Ann since we were in Junior High School at Peter Burnet. She was my dearest friend. We were in the same English class and Ann helped me through that class and always encouraged me, always saying "you can do it Elaine".
I remember so well when we would walk to school she use to talk Japanese to some of the gals we hung out with. I always wanted to learn so I could understand, but never got past counting to 10 in Japanese. She would drill me everyday till I got it right. I now teach my grandchildren to count to 10 in Japanese.. Ann got the biggest kick out of that.
She has always been my mentor. We could talk about anything, whether over email, phone calls or lunch over sushi at JTown.. She was always there for me. I will miss her deeply. Ann gave me her composition she wrote in 1981 about her internment growing up as a child. When I read it, my heart skipped a beat. I will treasure it forever.
Ann was a committee member for the 1953 Class Reunion San Jose High School. She was truly a team member..always there for us.. Very dedicated. We will miss her laughter, smile and positive outlook.
Rest in peace forever my dear friend!
Sayonara Ann, Sayonara. You will be missed dearly, but never to be forgotten.
Love,
Elaine
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Funeral services provided by:
Crippen & Flynn Woodside Chapel (FD879)400 Woodside Road, Redwood City, CA 94061
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