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Susan Tsurumaki Morris’

Celebration of Life

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thank you for coming together to remember our favorite gal

just after noon on saturday, october 14th, 2023

now, join us, in keeping this sweet angel’s memory alive

it’s true, somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue

…it’s time 🥲 to celebrate the one & only, Sue

The universal fan favorite, Sue Tsurumaki Morris, left us far too suddenly and far too soon. Our physical worlds feel darker, our hearts will likely never fully heal, but we know there is without question, a new otherworldly beautiful angel watching down on us now.

We began honoring this effervescent beauty’s memory by coming together to hear sweet words from her loved ones, enjoyed gentle music and dance from her island beginnings and picniced together on the grass under the new moon.

In case you were unable to attend, or want to revisit some of the special moments from the day, see words & memorial event photos below.

Sac Bee Obituary

⬆️ to sign the digital guest book

Caiti Morris Hatton, Sue’s Daughter

So, it’s taken nearly a full 35 years, but I’m so proud to acknowledge that even if you didn’t already know I was Sue’s daughter, there’s a strong chance you can now see a lot of her in me.

So on behalf of both my mom and myself, I want to tell you how profoundly grateful we are for your love and physical presence.

This is the first time I’ve ever hosted an event of this sort and while it’s felt like being thrown into the deep end, she took me to enough swim practices and meets to pull this together in record time in the wake of her painfully sudden passing.

I think it’s safe to say, she always gave me far too much credit for “raising myself” and “being so strong,” she gave me every opportunity to navigate the path to an incredible life and to host a celebratory afternoon that really did her justice; one that provided a space for all of the people she was so worried about always taking care of, really being able to feel supported and moving forward.

Rebecca Burnworth of A Life Well-Lived Memorial Services

(opened with singing bowl, assistance from Victoria Cao)

I am both honored, and deeply humbled to serve as your Celebrant today. We gather this afternoon in sadness and celebration to remember our beloved friend, wife, mother and daughter, Sue Tsurumaki Morris.

We’ve gathered today to do something very difficult. So before we begin, let's please take a moment to sit quietly with each other.
Let's open our hearts and let in light.

Together, we take a deep breath, and we make this space sacred with the warm glow of love and compassion.

In community we mourn Sue and the unexpected end of her life. We grieve the dreams of the future we so vividly imagined with her. We grieve the emptiness that now fills the space where her big, joyful smile, and her thoughtful aways once were.

As we grapple with our grief, we also come together today with gratitude in our hearts because our lives have been forever changed by Sue. Our capacity to love has become greater, because of Sue. Our years of laughter with her have made our lives fuller.

As we hold her up in memory, we acknowledge that alongside sadness there is also room for joy. With grief there is also room for celebration. With love we remember Sue, and with our shared memories we create community. Together, we offer our support to her family, and also to each other.

In place of religious text, we found it most fitting to share a poem that deeply radiates with the values and code of ethics Sue embodied.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

‘Desiderata’ Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Chris Morris, Sue’s Son

First off on behalf of my family and myself, I would like to thank you all for for coming.

I’m going to try to keep this as joyful as possible.

Susan was a friend, a coworker, a daughter, a wife… And, as most of you know, Sue was my wonderful mother, who I will miss everyday.

Words cannot begin to describe how devastating her loss has been.

I think I can speak for many of us when I say that she was definitely the glue that held things together.

My mom, Sue, was always a glass half full type of person, regardless of the circumstances or the situation.

I think it’s important to acknowledge and remember how wonderful of a person she was and her incredible traits to let her memory shine on.

••• She’s most loving person that I’ve ever met in my life.

••• Very passionate in everything she did. I always admired that she always gave 100%. There was no half assing it with her 😏

••• My mom was fantastic at living in the moment.

••• She also loved capturing those moments as well through photography. Thus she was always the designated swim team and waterpolo photographer.

I feel blessed to have had such a supportive and loving individual such a my mother to grow up with. She would always help me strive to be the best person I could be.

Basically what I’m trying to say is that my mom was the best and she will be missed so much.

Kim Lewis, Sue’s Friend

I am honored to share a few words to celebrate the life of my dear friend Sue.

I knew Sue was special when we met over 30 years ago on opening day of Matsuyama Elementary School for the first day of kindergarten for Caiti and my daughter Reiko. You immediately noticed her smile. She was vibrant, friendly, and beautiful both inside and out.

I have so many precious memories. Our children grew up together. We had the best times going to Saturday morning swim meets despite the 7 a.m. check in times, school field trips, and hunting for the desirable Beanie Babies during the craze…..yes we were those moms…just to name a few.

We spent many hours at swim practice, swim meets, and volunteering for Matsuyama Elementary School to help establish many of the school traditions such as the Harvest Festival, 4 th of July Fun Run, and Cherry Blossom festival that still occur today.

I remember many times after the school morning drop off a group of moms would walk through the Pocket’s central Seymore Park talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. These were just a few of the best memories. I recall the memories and hear the voices of the past each time I visit Seymore Park.

Sue was a part of our monthly Bunko group for over 20 years. She was such a fun and positive person and was a favorite among this group of 12 women. Some of our Bunko friends are here today to remember and celebrate Sue’s life.

Sue always put family first. Don, Caiti, and Chris were the center of her world. I saw the joy her children brought to her and how proud she was of their accomplishments. Sue was a tremendously awesome mom!

We already miss her smile, the twinkle in her eye, and the abundant kindness in her heart that she shared with everyone.

Sue was truly special and I will miss her dearly. Rest in peace dear friend.

Thank you.

Kiyoshi Tsurumaki, Sue’s Father

I am Susan’s father and I want to thank you all (again) for coming amidst your busy schedules to help celebrate Susan’s life. On behalf of my wife and myself, this is a memorial and a celebration of Susan’s life.

I believe Susan’s life started the day she was born on January 18, 1958 at Triple Army Hospital in Hawaii. A great place to raise a family - very friendly and family-oriented communities. Being a military brat (children of military families), they experience moving from place to place, separation and understand the meaning of sacrifice and discipline (that’s Webster’s definition 😉). I had four tours (twice in Korea and twice in Vietnam) so I missed a lot of important events in Susan’s early life. But there were some memorable events, like growing up in Hawaii with her cousin, Bryce, spending time with her grandparents in Japan (while I was in Korea for the second time), also spending time with her cousins, Sheila and Vicky, in San Francisco (while I deployed to Vietnam in 1965). She was a song girl and the first Japanese (3rd generation, Japanese/American) Homecoming Queen as a Junior at Del Mar High School in San Jose.

My greatest regret is I wish I had spent more time with her growing up in 1975 in her early years before going off to college at Sacramento.

One of the saddest things in life is when children die before their parents (my oldest son, Dennis is 2002, now Susan, our only daughter in September 2023). I’ve heard this phrase many times before, but your don’t really realize the tremendous loss until it happens to you.

Susan’s legacy will live forever in the hearts and minds of those she impacted, especially her children, Caiti and Christopher, her husband, Don, and her parents.

Angie Victorine, Sue’s Macy’s Colleague + Friend

Sue, was not just my coworker, but one of my best friends, my confidant and my buddy.

If you didn’t know Sue, I will tell you that she was like a ray of sunshine on a rainy day, and she brighten the day of everyone she met.

Sue was the sweetest, most honest and loyal friend you could ask for. I was blessed to be her friend.

My sweet friend, I will miss you more than words can say. I will miss our talks, your contagious laugh, your wisdom and your advice.

I can hear myself calling you on the work communicator “Susan Morris, where are you at?”, only because I needed to see your beautiful smile, and of course, to summon you to our daily Starbucks walk.

I couldn’t help but being a little upset with you, because you left way too soon, but I understand now .God, needed a perfect angel up in heaven, and of course what better choice than your beautiful soul!

Fly, fly high with the angels my friend, they’re so lucky to have you up there, and heaven get ready, you’re about to get reorganized like never before!

I love you so much my friend, and you will always live in our hearts.

You made this world a better place just by being YOU!

I’m not going to say goodbye to you, but what I told you that night at the hospital “I’ll see you in a little while my sweet Sue!”

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I miss your mom so much, it is so hard to be back at work without her.

All my love to all of you.

Bruce Leino, Sue’s Friend

Good afternoon, dear families of Donnie and Sue, and to all of our friends. Thank you for being here. To describe this moment as surreal, unexpected, or unbelievable would certainly be an understatement. I think everyone today feels the same way.

Sue has been my good friend for many, many years. And Donnie my best buddy since 1st grade. Almost 42 years ago, I was with Donnie when he first laid eyes on his future bride. Sue was the manager on duty at the Hungry Tiger restaurant the night we were checking out a jazz combo. Donnie spotted Sue through an open office door and exclaimed with vigor, “I’ve got to meet that girl!” I fully agreed. The rest, as they say, is history …

Sue and Donnie’s life together is testament to the most important thing in our lives, that unbreakable bond with our loved ones, one that holds firm through inevitable highs and lows. They’ve been a model of dedication and care in raising their wonderful kids, Caiti and Chris. Our children shared so many fun times together as they grew up, and, like you folks here today, we’re very, very grateful to be part of the Morris’s and Tsurumaki’s lives.

I’m sure many of us would agree that the word ‘sparkling’ describes Sue so well: thoroughly-beautiful, radiating welcoming energy, her presence making everyone’s world better. I feel thankful for her inspirational presence, a bright life in my life, her gifts to be treasured, always. My memories of Sue are indelible… Her and Donnie’s picture-perfect wedding day at The River Mansion, Sue laughing with that incredible smile, as a loving Mom - holding and teaching her babies, orchestrating kids’ birthday parties and family gatherings, and glowing proudly at Caiti and Cory’s wedding. These memories, and many more, will not fade from my heart.

To you, my friend Sue, we all miss you beyond any measure. As your journey continues, we will go with you, and you will go with us. From this earthly plane, to the next dimension, we love you, Sue, forever.

Through these tough days, for all of us who love Sue, it’s going to be one foot in front of the other. May peace and love fill our hearts in support of Donnie, Caiti, Christopher, Donna, Irene, Kyoshi, Michael, Kim, Louie, Cherie, Lindy, Lexi, Zak and Zoey and all of the Tsurumaki and Morris family members.

Thank you again, everyone.