Kathryn Akiko Tagawa Sugiyama

Kathy Akiko Tagawa Sugiyama, former wife of Al Sugiyama, passed away in the comfort of her own home full of loving family and close friends on Sept. 2, 2012, due to complications from cancer. Kathy worked for the City of Seattle for more than 30 years and, in that time, interacted with a number of different departments and individuals.  She took great pride in her job and also took pride in the fact she was a devoted Metro bus rider when traveling to and from work.

Kathy was ever the hostess, always welcoming and loved having family and friends at her Beacon Hill home.  Even as she valiantly fought and recovered in the ICU at UWMC, Kathy made sure the family gifted nurses with plenty of food and snacks each day.  

Kathy is survived by her two daughters Mari and Alysa; siblings Marion Uemura, Dotti Reisbord, Eugene Tagawa, Michael Tagawa; nieces and nephews Sheri Miyake, Brian Uemura, Tracy Hattori Gooch, Kevin Hattori, Steven Uemura, and Anne Uemura; grandnephews and grandniece Tony Fujimoto, Ryan Gooch, Daniel Miyake, Leanna Uemura, Chris Miyake, and Troy Uemura; and numerous friends and those who were touched by her kind spirit and radiant smile.  For many, even those not related, she will always be remembered as “Auntie Kathy.”

Kathy is also survived by former husband Alan Sugiyama.  Though no longer legally bound, theirs was a relationship that endured and lasted for more than 40 years – one made especially evident in the last few months as Kathy took on the battle of her life with Alan standing strongly by her side. (end)