Tomoko Matsura Sasaki

Tomoko Matsura Sasaki was born in Kyoto, Japan, March 25, 1933, to Sueno and Ichizo Matsura.  Her father, a landscape gardener, and her mother, a homemaker, raised Tomoko and their six other children during the tumultuous years leading up to, during, and following World War II.  Times were very hard, especially for people such as the Sasakis who lived in cities, where food was scarce. One of Tomoko’s sisters died as a young girl due to complications from malnutrition. 

Tomoko finished secondary school at the age of 16 and started working as a clerk in a public utility company.  She was rather daring in her youth, enjoying music and dancing, and even riding a bicycle, which Japanese society considered unladylike.  Later, she worked in a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force store (equivalent to an American military PX), where she caught the eye of a young soldier stationed in Kyoto. Sergeant Yuichi Sasaki from Aomori, Japan, proposed to Tomoko after a two-year courtship, and they were married in October of 1959. 

For many years, the couple lived in military housing in Kyoto, where they raised their one child, their son Hideshi.  After Yuichi retired as a post Command Sergeant Major, he and Tomoko began their retirement years.  In the meantime, Hideshi had moved to the United States to pursue his higher education, eventually joining the U.S. Army.  In 1989, Yuichi and Tomoko immigrated to the United States to be near their son and daughter-in-law and two young grandchildren.  They moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina, where they remained for the rest of their lives. 

Tomoko and Yuichi worked tirelessly on their home and yard, in which they took great pride. They enjoyed shopping and eating out, and they especially looked forward to visits from their family.  They helped to raise their two grandchildren when Benjamin and Anne were young, and shared Japanese culture with them.  The Sasakis were often recognized in their favorite restaurants and shopping venues, such as the commissary, because they were always dressed up and made a striking and memorable couple. 

Despite their comfortable life in Fayetteville, with friendly neighbors and a familiar routine, Tomoko and Yuichi sometimes described their life together as “haranbanjo,” a roller coaster with ups and downs.  They missed Japan, but learned to love America.  Tomoko was not shy about using her limited English, but communication was always a struggle.  After Yuichi passed away in 2018, Tomoko tried to maintain their large yard by herself, spending many hours each day pruning and raking. She enjoyed good health until just a few months ago, then went into a decline. On June 26, 2024, at the age of 91, she passed away peacefully in her home under hospice care and the care of her granddaughter, Anne, a registered nurse.   

Tomoko is survived by her son, Hideshi, and former daughter-in-law, Sybil, both of Fayetteville, N.C.; grandson, Benjamin, and his wife, Valerie, and their two sons, Jack and Teddy, in Hawaii; and granddaughter, Anne, and her husband, Alex, and their two daughters, Emi and Mei, of Pennsylvania. Tomoko’s two surviving sisters and other relatives live in Japan.  

Tomoko did not wish to have a funeral or memorial service. The family is grateful to her friends and neighbors who checked on her over the years. 

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