Sadako Obata Patton

On February 15, 2018, at 10:17 a.m., Sadako Obata Patton passed away peacefully surrounded by family. She was 86 years old. Sadako was an amazing woman who was loved by so many. She will be missed deeply by her family and friends.

Sadako was born on April 21, 1931, in Tokyo, Japan, the oldest daughter in a family with nine siblings.  Preceded in death by her father Hanji and mother Tsune, as well as siblings Kazuko and Yoshiharu. She is survived by siblings Takako, Yoshiasu, Masako, Hiroyuki, Noriko, Tomoko and Nobuko.

Sadako was a true pioneer, marrying African-American Air Force officer N.W. Patton and being the first in her family to travel beyond Japan in 1964. The couple eventually settled in California with their two children, J. and Regina Kathleen (Kathy). Sadako took great pride in the accomplishments and education of her children. Her only grandchild, Callie, carries her family's legacy in name and spirit. Sadako was the happiest obachan when spending time with her granddaughter.

.Sadako was a creative force, beginning with her career as a seamstress for American servicemen in Tokyo. She carried this love of textiles throughout her life, exploring and mastering a wide range of needle arts including knitting, quilting and machine embroidery.

When Sadako undertook any new interest, it was with a passion unparalleled. She took a desire to sew dolls for her young daughter to a fervor for making porcelain dolls, from pouring and firing the clay to detailing their faces and sewing elaborate costumes. It was this drive and an entrepreneurial spirit that pushed her to pursue a cosmetology degree in 1974 and establish a 26 year career as a business owner and hair stylist.

Sadako made many friends through her many endeavors, which included painting, cooking, ikebana, gardening, reading, singing and dancing. Her spirit of adventure drove her travels across the U.S., to Europe/Asia and her home country.

It is with sadness that we say our final farewells to Sadako. Yet it is with deep gratitude and humility that we recognize the richness that she brought to our lives.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 25, at Tenrikyo Sacramento Church, 6361 25th Street in Sacramento, California.  In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the American Cancer Society.<https://tinyurl.com/Sadako-Donate> Please address okoden to Regina Patton.

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