Satoko Hamasaki
September 14, 1918 - June 1, 2008
Obituary
Satoko ‘Sally’ Hamasaki
Born in Seattle, Washington September 14, 1918 and departed June 1, 2008
Service: Private family memorial
Cemetery: Private
Satoko Hamasaki, age 89, devoted wife and mother, died peacefully on June 1, 2008 in Seattle, WA. She was born in Seattle on September 14, 1918, the sixth of seven children, to Shokichi and Koma Tatsumi.
Satoko was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Harry K. Hamasaki and three sons, Carl K, Kenneth G and Robert H Hamasaki, grandson Michael Hamasaki, a sister Hatsue Tanabe and brothers Jack Tatsumi and George Tatsumi. She is survived by daughters Kris Pablo Lambinicio, Patricia Stephen Wong, Pauline Hamasaki, Lori Hamasaki, grandchildren Trevor Wong and Guo Zhu Hamasaki, sister Yoneko Hamasaki. Satoko is also survived by sisters-in-law, Shige Ohara and Yoko Hamasaki and several nephews and nieces. She also has two sisters in Japan, Shizue Yamamoto and Sadako Hayashi.
Satoko grew up in Chinatown/International District in an area that once was called Japan Town where her parents managed a hotel on 10th Avenue South. She attended Bailey Gatzert Elementary, Central School and Broadway High. She graduated from the American Vocational School for Drafting, Designing and Sewing. After a short period of time living in California Satoko returned to Seattle in 1941 where she worked at a vegetable stall in the Pike Place Market. Satoko also worked in a restaurant where her cherished customers began calling her Suzie or Sally and she picked Sally as her preferred ‘American’ name. It was here in Seattle that she met her husband, Harry Hamasaki and they were married in April 1942. Shortly thereafter they were evacuated to the internment camp at Minadoka in Idaho. It was during these trying times that she gave birth to and suffered the loss of her first child Carl Kiyoshi.
Satoko and her husband were released from the internment camp in 1944 and they remained in Idaho where she gave birth to three daughters, Kris, Patty and Pauline. She again suffered a loss with the death of her third child and second son Kenneth George. In 1953, shortly after the birth of her third son Robert Bob the family returned to Seattle where her youngest child, Lori was born five years later.
Like most women of her generation, Satoko’s primary job was that of housewife and mother. She managed the household as it moved from a rented house in the Central Area to the home she and Harry bought in south Beacon Hill. With a yard of her own, she began to enjoy gardening and she had the time to travel with her husband Harry. The highlight of her travels was a trip to Japan with her sister Yoneko to visit their two older sisters. Satoko lived in the Beacon Hill home until she moved to Nikkei Manor in 2006.
As her grown children moved out of the house, Satoko had time to devote to other family duties. She helped out at the hair salon owned by her daughters Patty and Pauline and many customers remember the smiling greeting they received as they entered the door of the Chop House. Whenever a child of the family became sick or ill she was available to provide motherly care.
Beginning in December, 1998, Satoko experienced some of her most difficult days. Within a period of less than a year and half, she lost her husband, son Robert and grandson Michael. Keeping busy with home and family, she was able to go on and enjoy the arrival of her only granddaughter, Guo Zhu.
The family will greatly miss her sewing skills, care for a sick child and the ‘bento’ baskets she packed for clam digging and mushroom picking. Though her daughters try, they cannot match her fabulous cooking, especially those flakey crust pies!
If she were with us today she would tell everyone in that motherly tone ‘work hard, but enjoy life’.
A private family service and burial will be held later this month. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Nikkei Manor, 700 6th Ave S, Seattle 98104; Swedish Hospice, 5701 6th Ave S, Seattle 98018; or Swedish Medical Center Foundation, Stroke Program, 747 Broadway, Seattle 98122.
Though I never met any of ye or Satoko I just wish to give ye my condolences,the reason I came across ye is I googled Satoko Hamasaki and ye Satoko came up,I have a verra beautiful 33 year old daughter whom is 1/2 Japanese and her name too is Satoko Hamasaki so I was most surprised to know there was another here in the states…
I was told once that my daughters name in Japanese translate’s to “Susie” but I see ye Satoko was Sally!
Thankye for allowing me to share.
Sincerely,Irish Cornaire
Kris,Patti,Pauline and Lori…I extend my Warmest Wishes and Best Feelings to all of you at this difficult time. Again, my Heartfelt Thoughts are with you All……..Fondly, Hans