Sue Sueko Nakashima

Sue Nakashima passed away on September 11, 2020 at the age of 92. She was born in Kahuku on July 20, 1928 to Kisaku and Fusa Tsukamoto. She was the youngest of nine children.

Sue graduated from Kahuku High School in 1946 and Honolulu Business School. She married Brian Nakashima in 1950. They lived in Honolulu and then in Kailua, where they raised their four children. She worked at Canada Dry Bottling Co., the Kainalu Elementary School cafeteria, Thompson Insurance and Thompson-Budar Insurance. A faithful and active member of Kailua Christian Church since 1961, Sue served as Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and Treasurer. She also helped to establish a Women’s Ministry called Helping Hands, started a Wednesday morning Bible Study group in her home, and assisted in the development of a Foster Care Family Ministry and Outreach Center.

Sue was a great cook, especially of Japanese foods, but her favorite food was spam musubi. She actively participated in her children’s and grandchildren’s many activities and loved attending their sporting events. She and Brian enjoyed traveling the world together. They also took their children and grandchildren on numerous interisland, Alaska and mainland US trips. Many wonderful forever memories were made during these special times together as a family.

Sue was hard-working, devoted to her family and church, kind, generous, thoughtful, funny and loving and she will be greatly missed. She is now at peace in God’s loving care.

Sue is survived by her husband of 70 years, Brian; four children: daughter, Laurene (Patrick) Young, and sons, Neal (Sandra), Wade (Iris) and Van (Regina) Nakashima; seven grandchildren: Jennifer (Jon Bowers) Oki, Liane, Michael Oki, Matthew (Kristy), Lindsey, Eryn and Lauryn; four great-grandchildren: Daniel, Katherine, Elias and Audrey; and five step-grandchildren and their families. She is predeceased by her parents whom she cared for in her home for several years before their deaths; her eight siblings; and her grandson, Brandon, whom she also helped care for.

A private service and interment will be held at Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. The family will hold a celebration of her life in the future; email or phone notification of the details will be provided.