Sato-Endo, Hazel

1918 - 2023

Hazel (Sakaguchi) Sato-Endo was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 8, 1918 to Ichizo and Natsu Sakaguchi who immigrated from Kumamoto, Japan. Hazel was the only daughter among four brothers. She always enjoyed learning and soon learned dressmaking, as well as floral arranging.

She married Peter Sato in 1941 and had four children, Peter Jr., Stephen, Barbara, and Phillip. She started her own successful dressmaking and pattern-making business in Honolulu at a time when female entrepreneurs were a rarity.

In 1957, the family moved to Los Angeles and two years later settled in Gardena. Hazel utilized her business and dressmaking skills as she worked for Singer Sewing Company for many years, eventually becoming a top sales producer for the company. Four years after the passing of her husband Peter, she became one of the co-founders of the Nikkei Widowed Group in 1979. In 1982 she married Sam Endo.

Besides her commitment to her family, Hazel became a devoted member of the Gardena Valley Baptist Church. She helped organize several womens' groups at the church and took important roles in the building fund efforts. She remained an ardent supporter of the church for the rest of her life. Hazel passed away peacefully on November 8, 2023 at Kei Ai Healthcare in Gardena.

She was predeceased by Peter Sato, Sam Endo, and Peter Jr. She is survived by her children Stephen (Jane), Barbara (Vahe Tatikian, partner), Phillip (Judi) and daughter-in-law Arlene (Peter) Sato. She has four grandchildren, Peter (Ingrid), Andrew (Chi), Jason (Kayleen) and Kevin. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Isaac, Megan and Shinji.

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 19 at 10:30 am at the Gardena Valley Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.