Sue Terayama Nakata Service March 23rd 2003
Sue Sueko (Terayama) Nakata passed away March 12th 2003 at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. She was born on October 29th 1927 on Bainbridge Island to Otozo and Yoneko Terayama. She was the fifth of six children (Rits, Yo, Morio, Kayo, and May). The Terayama's farmed strawberries at Battle Point, until 1942 when they were interned along with other Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island at Manzinar California. In 1943 they relocated to the Minidoka camp at Hunt Idaho. Sue graduated in 1945 from Hunt High School.
After the war the family settled in Walla Walla for a year, then moved to Auburn, WA to again farm strawberries. She married Gerald Nakata in 1949 and settled in Seattle. Children Gerald, Rick and Kathy were born in 1950, 1953, and 1958. In the summer of 1960 Sue and Gerald moved back to Bainbridge, at the present house at Pleasant Beach.
In 1974, she started work full time in the Data Processing Dept of Virginia Mason Hospital until her retirement in 1993. That year saw the birth of her granddaughter Kristi, whom she doted over during her retirement years. Sue also enjoyed knitting, gardening, and the Mariners. She took great joy in knitting sweaters and blankets for newborns to the family or to the Island.
The family has designated the Woodward Fund and Helpline House for any donations in her memory.
Her service was held on Sunday March 23rd. Here are some photos of her service:
Well over 300 people signed the guest book at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church.
A large overflow crowd gathered next door in the Fellowship Hall.
The service was conducted by Wayne.
After the service, a reception was held in the Hall.
There, Uncle Gerald, Vern, and Wayne look at pictures from Uncle John, Auntie Pauline, Uncle Joe, and Auntie Jean's wedding day.
The family would like to thank Wayne and Judy for their immense help in planning the service; Eagle Harbor Congregational Church; Ellen for all her help; Larry and Karen for speaking during the service; Town and Country Markets; the ushers (Gene Nakata, Don Stimson, Bob Nakata, Vern Nakata, Tom Little, Aaron Paston, and Karen Nakata), Leslie Stimson and Cheryl Paston for watching over the guest book; Glen Nakata for doing the video; and Aaron for taking these pictures; and everyone who brought all the wonderful food over to us!