Patsy Yayoe Sueyoshi

My Mother's Story…..

My mother, Patsy was born as the youngest of 6 siblings to Chiyono and Goro Hirano on Feb 17, 1943 in Oahu Hawaii. Her siblings are Gilbert(Teru), Edward(Satoru), Lloyd(Sashi), Charles(Mamo) and Grace(To'e).
She was the baby of the family and in her words "grew up as a brat." Her favorite holiday was New Year's Day. She liked the Japanese tradition of mochi soup for good luck and fortune. She said her job was to make the maki sushi and help her mother cook. She said she thought it was their way to keep her home New Year's Eve. This is where her love of sushi began. She learned at her mother's side. She said it was an art and labor intensive. She taught me to only use odd number s of ingredients and her own creations. She was known for her sushi.
Patsy often said it was because of swimming that made her formative years fun. She competed from ages 10 through 16. She entertained thoughts of the Olympics but said she only made it to state. She fondly recalls breaking swimming records and being coached by Soichi Sakamoto and Duke Kahanamoku. Her swimming team meant a lot to her and she kept up with reunions in Hawaii whenever she could. She graduated from Leilehua High School in 1961. Her classmates, teammates and family kept Patsy going back to Hawaii time and again. She fondly remembers her cousins, Raymon, Jimmy, Mari and Earl from her younger years because family meant a lot. She said they were around the same age and had fun.
Mom often said that she felt Hawaii was too small. She ventured to Los Angeles to attend Beauty School and live with her sister. It was through her sister that she was introduced to her future husband Richard Sueyoshi. She said her first thought was that he was "an old man" being 10 years older. They fell in love and married on June 18, 1966. My mother loved family and was delighted and overjoyed when she gave birth to her baby girl Shannan on June 23 the following year. She described having a baby as a "miracle." She loved celebrating every holiday with parties, crafts and decorations. Mom often told me because I was on only child that she needed to share in the fun even more.

Patsy started at beauty school when she came to Los Angeles. Like many people her path took several turns. She worked several jobs and found her niche in payroll. She worked through several companies from fashion to trucking. She retired in June of 2007.
Anyone who knew Patsy, knew she was the perpetual kid inside who loved dolls, toys and collecting anything miniature. Her love of dolls started when she was a kid and recalls her mama doll as one of the best presents she ever received. She loved colors and things that made her happy. She surrounded herself with her collections and shared the fun whenever she could. Miniature chairs and shoes were her specialty. She liked anything cute and cuddly. She would spend endless hours watching the birds, and flowers outside her window whenever she could. She had a special place in her heart for cherry blossoms. Mom always requested cards and images of Japanese sakura whenever she could. They made her smile.
May she rest in peace and know that as we remember her we smile alongside her. I love you mom. You are in my heart always.