Satsuki Matsui

1927 - 2015

Satsuki Hirano Matsui

May 12, 1927 - September 6, 2015

Passed away on Sunday, September 6th at the age of 88 in Greenbrae. Satsuki May Hirano, affectionately known as "Sats," was born in San Francisco to Heitaro Hirano and Kumae Tsumoto Hirano on May 12, 1927. Sats' family was interned at Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming from 1942 to 1945. She graduated from Heart Mountain High School in winter of 1945.

Sats met her future husband, Shichiro "Chick" Matsui, in the Bay Area. They were married for over 57 years until Chick's passing in 2004. Sats and Chick raised their daughters, Dale and Connie, in Montclair and Piedmont. They later lived in Tiburon and Rancho Santa Fe. Upon Chick's passing, Sats moved to The Tamalpais lifecare community in Greenbrae where she resided for 9 years.

Sats was a joyful person with an irreverent sense of humor. She could always bring a smile to your face. A talented seamstress, gardener, needlecrafter, singer, dancer, and cook, she was successful at whatever she tried. Quickwitted and curious, she loved exploring new places and new foods and meeting new people. Sats will be remembered for her elegant beauty and lively personality.

One of seven siblings, she is survived by Mitsugi "Ben" Hirano, Hajime Sujishi, and Betty Nakatani. She was predeceased by siblings Toji "Bill" Hirano, George Sunayama, and Keiko Hirano.

Sats' twinkling smile and warm hugs will be missed by her daughters Dale and Connie; her sons-in-law, Bob Satake and Bill Beckman; her grandchildren, Robbie and Carrie Beckman and Den and Daren Satake; Susan Cotter Johnson and Terry Cotter for whom she was a second mother; and her many friends and family members.