Samie Matsui, 87, died peacefully in her sleep on April 22, 2010.
Samie Matsui was born on March 12, 1923, in Isleton, Calif. She
graduated from University High School and was interned in Manzanar,
where she met her husband, Thomas Matsui, and had her first-born son,
Bruce Isamu.
After the end of World War II, she moved to the Big Island of Hawaii
where her children, Suellyn Tayeko and Paulette Junko were born. She
then returned to California.
Samie loved her crafts and taking care of young children. In addition
to raising her own children and grandchildren, she was a caregiver
for 75 children, who affectionately called her, “Auntie Samie.”
Everyone loved her cookies and blankets, bibs, booties and crafts,
that she made for her family and the children she babysat. She was a
wonderful cook and collected “ono” recipes to try throughout her
life. She will be greatly missed by her family and everyone who knew
her.
Samie, “bachan,” “Auntie Samie,” is survived by her son, Bruce;
daughter-in-law, Barbara; Suellyn Kambara and son-in-law Ken,
Paulette Hassell and son-in-law David; and five grandchildren,
Ashley, Brandon, Allison, Audrey and Kory.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 30 at 2 p.m. at Fukui
Mortuary, Chapel in the Garden, 707 E. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA
with Rev. John Iwohara of Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and Rev.
Nobuo Oda officiating.
www.fukuimortuary.com (213) 626-0441
Samie Matsui
