Susie is survived by her sisters Yaeko Blas of Texas and Tomiko Arakaki of Okinawa, Japan, as well as her brother Zenshiro Arakaki of Okinawa, Japan. She also has many surviving nieces and nephews that she loved, most of whom currently live in Japan, Pennsylvania, California, and Texas. In her last months with us, she was delighted to receive many family visitors from both Japan and the United States, including her nephew Kazuo Arakaki, her great-nieces Tsubasa and Asuka Arakaki, and Tsubasa's son Riku, all the way from Okinawa, Japan.

Susie met her husband James when he was stationed with the US Air Force in Okinawa in the late 1960s, and they were married in Japan in 1972. She later became a proud naturalized US citizen and immigrated to the United States in 1979, where she lived together with James in the same house for over 40 years. Susie was a talented seamstress and tailor, working at the US Naval Academy Midshipmen Tailor Shop in Annapolis, MD until her retirement in 2008. She took special interest in several Midshipmen during her years at the Academy and enjoyed keeping in touch with them as they graduated and went on to successful careers.

Susie was active in a wide variety of social groups, including her neighborhood homemakers club, the Bag Ladies Quilting Bee, and the local Okinawa Kai cultural organization. She was a dedicated fan of the Baltimore Orioles, and enjoyed attending home games with her family and friends. Susie made longtime friends wherever she went, with a perpetual smile and overwhelmingly positive spirit that will be remembered fondly. Most of all, she loved her family with all her heart, and was always excited to spend time with her grandchildren until her final days.

Due to public health guidelines, a memorial service will be postponed until spring/summer 2021, or when conditions will allow for a safe and comfortable gathering of friends and family. Thank you for your patience.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider making a donation to the following organizations:

• United Leukodystrophy Foundation (ULF.org)
• ALD Connect (aldconnect.org)
• Cure PSP (PSP.org)
• Okinawa Kai (okinawakai.org)
• Japanese Americans' Care Fund (jacarefund.org)