Sumiko Ichiuji Obituary

Sumiko Ichiuji passed away on December 29, 2024. She was one month shy of her
98th birthday. Sumi was born on January 21, 1927 in Lemoore, CA to Ben and Kiyoko
Nakagawa. She was the oldest of six children and spent most of her childhood growing
up on the family farm in Reedley, CA. She and her sister spent about 3 years of their
childhood in Hiroshima, Japan living with grandparents. During WWII, the entire family
was interned at the Poston III Camp in Arizona.
After graduating from Reedley College, Sumi made her way to big city life in San
Francisco where she lived and worked for over a decade. During this time, she met
Paul Ichiuji; the couple married and settled in Salinas in 1963. Sumi volunteered in the
schools and community. She enjoyed being a Room Parent and Den Mother. Sumi
was also an active member at Lincoln Ave. Presbyterian Church where she sang in the
choir and served as a Deacon for many years. Some of her passions were gardening
and calligraphy, and she truly exhibited the gift of hospitality to all those she knew and
met.
Sumi embraced being a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend. She is
survived by her children Arnold Ichiuji and Alyson Tonomura, seven grandchildren, three
sisters, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sat, February 8, 2025 at 1:00pm at Lincoln Ave.
Presbyterian Church in Salinas.
Donations can be made in her memory to Lincoln Ave.
Presbyterian Church.