Bainbridge Island resident Sueko Terayama Nakata died March 12 at Swedish Hospital, Seattle.

She was born Oct. 29, 1927, on Bainbridge Island the daughter of Otozo and Yoneko Terayama.

As 14-year-old, her life changed dramatically when she and other Japanese-Americans were interned by the U.S. government and sent to Minidoka Relocation Center in Hunt, Idaho. She finished high school there and returned to the Seattle area following the war.

She married Gerald Nakata in Seattle on July 10, 1949 and they lived there until returning to the Island in 1960. Sue raised their three children and returned to the working world as a part time bakery worker in the family owned Town and Country Thriftway.

Later she worked at Virginia Mason Hospital in data entry and, after 19 years of work retired in 1993.

She enjoyed knitting, gardening, working crossword puzzles, making baby blankets for friends and family, and following the Mariners. She doted on her granddaughter, Kristi.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Gerald, of Bainbridge Island; two sons, Jerry and his wife Yuka, Redmond, and Rick, Bainbridge Island; daughter Kathy Nakata of Bainbridge Island, and granddaughter Kristi.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. March 23 at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church.

Remembrances can be made to the Walt and Milly Woodward Fund (www.woodwardfund.org), C/O Tatsu Moritani, 542 Winslow Way W., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110; the Bainbridge Fire Department or Helpline House.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home, Bainbridge Island.