Snap Shots of A Life Well Lived - The Early Years

Gramma, 91 years old, I will only be too lucky to see as many amazing changes as you have. These pictures give images to go along memories you must have, the changes you've seen, and the stories you've shared. My memories of you range from sliding down the carpeted stairs in nj, the plastic play set in the basement, my fascination with the christmas lights around the tree that bubbled, the rice paper screen, grampas concord grapes, with the electric wire to keep away raccoons! Making crafts, and cards and complex origami, and Playing canasta with emi, juli and zebe. Little pieces of you will remain with us all. I love you. Rue

Gramma, The world will be hard-pressed to find another grandmother like you. You were a wonderful teacher, story-teller and artist, with an infinite number of games to teach us as children (although Super Canasta will always remain the favorite, of course, with epic games that lasted for hours). I loved listening to you talk about your life, which, as seen on these pages, was exciting and romantic and very full. As I got older, I always looked forward to your letters, usually accompanied by an old picture or newspaper clipping to hold onto and put in my memory box for safe-keeping. Thank you for everything you have shared with us. I love you very much, Gramma.Zebe

Hi Mom. It's so hard to say goodbye. I know for certain that more than anyone, you shaped my world, and I owe you so much more than I can ever repay. As a child, I took for granted all the little things that contributed to our quality of life, from the wonderful lunches you packed for us every day, to the chauffeur service you willingly provided for all our activities. Your generosity and kindness will always remain with me as a model for how to treat others. I remember as a kid that all my friends loved you because of how you welcomed them into our home. I credit you with turning me on to music at a very young age, leading me to pursue a career as a composer/producer. You taught us amazing skills ranging from origami to crafts of all kinds - our life around you was one where personal art was very important and rewarding. From your example I learned not to hesitate to speak out, fight back, stand my ground, persist and not surrender or compromise, to be strong in the face of adversity - all powerful life lessons that made me who I am and will remain with me forever. I have always known that you were a strong person, but it was only after my kids were born that I realized how much effort it must have been for you to raise four boys, and I am so proud to look back and realize what a great job you did. Looking through these photos of your life it makes me smile to see a life rich with friends, family and activities. It also reminds me that you struggled through many hardships that we will hopefully never have to face. But whatever life throws at us, I am confident that you prepared us well to handle its challenges, and that part of you will always be with us to share in our successes. I love you, Mom.Bob

Mom, Although we celebrate your life on this web site, there are no words to describe how much I will miss you. Mom, I will always appreciate the lives we had growing up and how you were always around to take care of all of us. Thank you for not only being a mother but also a cub scout den mother, music teacher, art teacher, car pooler, housekeeper, and all the many things you did for all of us. You were loved not only by family but by everyone who you encountered. Since you will always be in our thoughts, I will not say good bye. I will say until we meet again - I thank you,miss you and love you. Alan

Hi Mom, Thanks for everything. It must have been incredibly difficult to raise a family of four boys (especially us) but you did it with compassion, fortitude, determination, patience, and lots of love. You made growing up an extraordinary experience. When you met Sally and her kids, you welcomed them as if they had always been part of your family. Our successes are a testament to your success as our Mom. You are a model for how to live a rich, full, productive life. I love you and miss you very much. Say hi to Dad for me.Larry

Mary While looking through the hundreds of photographs with images taken from moments in your life, I was struck by the flair you exhibited in many of your outfits. From the tulip point hem of the very pretty dress you wore in your 1930 portrait by the piano to the jaunty feather in your hat seen in a 1948 picture during a visit to the residence of the Japanese Princess Takamastu, to your perfect 1950s housewife outfit of a plaid shirtwaist dress worn with heels while hanging wet laundry on the outdoor clothes line in NJ, to the later years with all your fashionably casual tops and pants, you always looked smartly attired. I think this was just another example of the artistic eye that was seen in all your many sewing and craft projects. You created so many amazing crafts in so many different medias during your long life. Numerous lucky folks have been the beneficiaries of your art over the years either by buying your work from your many craft sales or by receiving a hand made gift from you. Every Christmas as we open the boxes filled with your handmade tree ornaments and place our one-of-a-kind Christmas stockings you made for each of us under the tree for Santa to fill, we will toast to your memory and the joy your brought to our family and so many other people. Lovingly, Lynne Lynne Sakayama

Grandma, Wow, you've lived one heck of a life. You've been everywhere, done everything, and influenced everyone. I have so much to thank you for. Thank you for letting me sell lemonade in your drive way, telling me the best bedtime stories, making me the coolest Christmas stocking anyone could have, and putting up with my dilly dallying. Thank you for teaching me the great game of Canasta and making me a box for when my hands were too small to carry all of the cards. Thank you for turning me on to the Yankees- I love telling people that you are the reason I am a Yankee fan, and always will be. I could go on but most of all, thank you for filling me with so many wonderful memories that I will someday tell my own grandchildren. Although I am sad you're gone, I am comforted in knowing you are at peace and reunited with Grandpa. I love you and I'll miss you. Juli

Hi Gramma, I can't even begin to describe how much I miss you. I have had a lot of time to think through all of the wonderful memories we shared, and I am so thankful and lucky to have had such a wonderful influence in my life. I have such fond memories of riding my bike to your house on West End Avenue, learning how to play the piano (thank you for all your patience in teaching me!), your delicious root beer floats as my reward, picking vegetables in the garden with grandpa, collecting acorns for your crafts, the hours we would spend in your craft room...playing ping pong with you in the basement, the cinnamon toast you would make me for breakfast, the games you taught us to play, the wonderful Christmases at your house...I could just go on and on. When we moved to Old Tappan and then I went off to college and then later moved to Massachusetts, I have treasured all of the letters we wrote to each other. I have kept and re-read many of them-- and they are truly priceless. It meant so much to me that you could share the joy and happiness that we experienced when Chris and I got married. I know it wasn't easy for you to make the multi-day trip, but I have such happy memories of you dancing on the dance floor and enjoying the company of my friends and Chris's family, who immediately fell in love with you! After your passing, Chris's family surprised me with a beautiful Japanese maple tree that they planted in our front yard in memory of you, with some of your ashes scattered in the ground. It gives me such a great sense of comfort to know you will always be there to continue to share the things I will experience in life. You will always be a part of me and I thank you for everything...Ababu.Emi

To Dear Aunt Mary Mary, having no daughter were treating me especially through your life. When I was child, you sent my family a lot of toys, clothes,candis and chocolates in Christmas. I was so happy having the cute dresses, delicious foods,and toys that I've never seen before. The first time I met you,I felt there is a resemblance between both of us,and relationship. So many past memories of you crowded in on me now. I feel regrets for having do nothing you want me,in last ten years, visiting you, taking you to Japan. I'm so sorry,please forgive me. When my hasband,Tak ,jazz pianist,had played the piano at the home of Fellowship, so many people had come in to see him. We had happy time with you. We'll miss you so much. I'm humming the your favorite tune "Here,there and everywhere" of Beatlles that you requested me a long time ago. Mayme MinatoMayme Minato

I was the Welcome Wagon Hostess of Florham Park and my first encounter with Mary was a Welcome Wagon visit welcoming her in her new home in Florham Park. We immediately became friends. She was a great artist making original greeting cards, sewing, painting, Christmas ornaments, etc... She was the kindest most gentle person I ever met. May you rest in peace my dear friend. You will be missed.Kay Fernandez

Mom, or Mari-san. When I first met you in Japan as my mother's "American" friend, you were the most friendly, talented and sophisticated lady. You invited me to stay with you in Florham Park as your 'instant' daughter. Well, it turned out to be so much longer than "instant". I don't know how to thank you for that wonderful life changing invitation, introduction to your wonderful family, and all the inspiration, support and love for all these years. Domo arigato gozaimasu!!!Kei