Sumiko Spencer

DURHAM  – Sumiko Spencer, age 92, died in Durham NC on January 20, 2022. She was born on March 12, 1929 to the late Harue and Tsuneyoshi Kawakami.

 A survivor of World War II, from her childhood onwards mom always had a love for the United States and American culture. Mom graduated from high school and eventually obtained a lifelong education, starting off working in a cotton factory, to eventually becoming a singer of some renown, once singing on Japanese national radio. It was as a singer that she met and married Roger Spencer of North Platte, Nebraska in 1965.

 Sumiko was a truly extraordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life. Fiercely independent, trilingual, and with a quick wit, mom could always make you laugh even while making a point. Recent years, according to her, gave her “much material to work with,” she once said with one of her famously big smiles. Her cooking was something one had to experience to be believed—it was that good. She was also a bit of a card shark—often surprising those who were playing with her by her incredible luck and sharp intellect. As one of her sons said, “I never managed to win a game of gin rummy as she spanked me, hands-down, every time.”

 Sumiko had two sons who survive her, Roger K. Spencer and Christopher J. Spencer. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Ryan Spencer, Austin Spencer,  Lexi Spencer, and Aaron Spencer, as well as a daughter-in-law, Dani Spencer, all of whom will miss her, her spirit, and the tremendous joy she brought them. Sumiko was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Spencer.

 Not wanting for those dear to her to be mournful of her passing, Sumiko requested that we not hold a service in her honor, and instead requested that friends and family hold in their hearts their favorite memories of her to celebrate her life.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sumiko’s favorite charity, the ASPCA (www.aspca.org), which she had volunteered for in the past.

 The Spencer family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.