Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

December 24, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Shigeko “Susie” Sakayeda of Charlotte, NC passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at the age of 95.  Her nickname became "Susie" when many of her friends found Shigeko a bit challenging to pronounce correctly and Susie suited her sweet personality. 

Born in Japan, Shigeko was the only child of a prominent family in Yokohama.  A lover of the arts, she studied sewing, cooking, and floral arranging after graduating from school.  Shigeko was always good with numbers which landed her a job in banking in Tokyo.  For a brief stint, she also worked in tourism.

In 1953, Shigeko married US military serviceman George Sakayeda when he was stationed in Japan and they began their 55 years together.  Being a military family meant moving overseas to Germany and living in many states in the US.  Shigeko loved sightseeing so there were many family trips to explore whatever each location had to offer. 

Something that surprised people about Shigeko is how much she loved sports.  She and her husband George loved watching baseball, NASCAR, and the Olympics.  Shigeko was thrilled when she was able to attend the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. 

Shigeko had many talents: crocheting, knitting and especially sewing.  She was a great cook and enjoyed good food.  Later in life, going out to eat with her family always made her happy.  Her favorites were breakfast, especially pancakes and dinner, Chinese noodles!

Shigeko was known by her friends and family as supremely kind, gracious, and full of gratitude. Throughout her life, she captivated everyone she met with her warmth, charm, and humor.  She was well-loved and admired for her ability to see the best in others and her joy and good spirit were inspiring to all who knew her.  Shigeko once told her daughter that she had lived a good life, had no regrets because she had been nice to everyone. 

Shigeko is preceded in death by her husband, George Sakayeda, and is survived by her daughter, Jean and her husband, Michael; and her granddaughter, Erin.

Private services will be held by the family.

The family wishes to express appreciation to the wonderful caregivers at The Post at Providence for their compassionate care and to Via Health Partners for being an integral part of Shigeko's final journey. 

In remembrance of Shigeko’s life, the family asks that memorials be made to Memory and Movement Charlotte www.mmclt.org or the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.