June 11, 2009
Dear Friends,
We have lost an extraordinary and special woman: Sandra R. Otaka. The outpouring of shared grief and the overwhelming sense of loss, both communal and personal, are a testament to Sandra's gift for befriending people and touching their lives in ways big and small.
Sandra's son, Jeffrey, was the center of her life; she was devoted in her care and concern for him. Jeffrey is being cared for by Sandra's family and appears to be doing as well as one might expect given the circumstances.
Sandra's family will be holding a private service, but they have asked a few of her many friends to undertake the planning and organization of a public memorial service, which will be held on:
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Union League Club
65 West Jackson , 6th Floor, Chicago
Sandra was beloved by so many people that we ask that if you plan to attend, if you would please let us know so as to allow us to make every effort to anticipate the number of attendees for proper planning. To RSVP, please email
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or call 773-728-7171. We would appreciate your providing your name (please state and spell slowly) and the names of any others you will be bringing, as well as a telephone number and email address should we need to contact you. Please RSVP on or before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19th.
Many are asking what they can do and how they can help. That's the kind of loyalty and friendship that Sandra inspired. At this time, there are two things that we are suggesting for those who would like to find some tangible way of expressing their sorrow and sense of loss.
While all of us who were Sandra's friends will miss her terribly, we can find some comfort in our memories of that beautiful, vibrant and vital woman whom we were so fortunate to have in our lives, albeit for too brief a time. We invite Sandra's friends to help preserve those memories so that as Jeffrey grows older, he can have a chance to see his mother through adult eyes, to begin to know her as we did, not simply as a parent viewed through the lens of childhood. Although Jeffrey can read accounts of her many accomplishments, we'd like for him to have a chance to understand and appreciate the dynamism, the joyousness, the loyalty and passion that came packaged in a ready wit and self-deprecating sense of humor that was our Sandra.
Please write a letter addressed to Jeffrey in which you share some memories of Sandra. Tell him about things she did or said, share how she impacted your life, and reminisce with funny stories and anecdotes. Please email your letter to
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by Friday, June 19th. We'll compile and present them to Jeffrey. This way he can revisit moments in his mother's life now and years from now. It can't ever replace his mother. But it can help him get to know her in a different way, something that he will likely appreciate when he is much older.
And if you have any photos or videos of Sandra, please send those, too. Some of Sandra's friends are compiling a video or slide show about Sandra. They would be grateful if you can share any personal photos of Sandra.
A fund has been established to help provide for Jeffrey's future. Contributions can be directed to "Glenview State Bank for Jeffrey Otaka Account." We'll collect them at the event or they can be mailed to:
Glenview State Bank
800 Waukegan Road
Glenview , IL 60025
Attn: Karen Forgette
As we mourn our loss of Sandra, we hope that we can find comfort in sharing our memories of her and knowing that our lives are better for having known her.
Ann Kalayil
Sandra Yamate
Bill Yoshino
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