Tsuyako Susan-Marie
Peterson

Nov. 3, 1934-May 26, 2016

Longtime Homer resident Tsuyako Susan-Marie “Suzy” Peterson, 81, died Thursday, May 26, 2016, at South Peninsula Hospital with her husband by her side.

“She was well known and loved by many people around the lower Kenai Peninsula,” her family said.

Funeral services are 10 a.m. Friday, June 10, 2016, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Homer. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Anchor Point Cemetery.

Suzy was born Nov. 3, 1934, on Okinawa, Japan. She married Gary Peterson 53 years ago during his tour with the U.S. Marines. She worked for several years as an apartment maintenance worker, and received her U.S. citizenship after moving to Alaska in 1970. Suzy later worked at many local fish canneries, then gained employment as a full-time custodian through all school grades within the Kenai Peninsula School District, where she stayed for almost 25 years before retiring.

She was a member of the Catholic faith and loved cooking, gardening, fishing and going boating.

“Suzy had short arms, but she embraced all people, of every race and creed, everywhere,” her family said. “She truly loved the young and old alike, and was generous above all,” her family said.

Said her husband of her qualities, “I have secretly lived with and always loved with this genuine angel, and now Heaven has rescued her.”

Suzy was preceded in death by her father, Comodor Yamauchi, and her mother, Nabe Yasuda, and sisters, Tsuruko Yamauchi and Yoshiko Yamauchi.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Gary Peterson of Homer; daughter, Akie Hosoda of Osaka, Japan; and sisters, Sakie Oyadomari and Keiku Yamauchi, of Okinawa, Japan.

Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.