Nam Soon (Sue) Tom's Obituary
Nam Soon (Sue) Tom, 89, passed away peacefully at home in Mililani, Hawaii, in the care of her husband of 65 years, Lawrence Tom, son, Guy Tom, and daughter-in-law, Reiko Tom, on November 5, 2022. She was born in Korea to Chung Byong Doo and Choi Jung Soon on October 25, 1933.
Nam Soon and her brother grew up during a time of war in Korea. Their parents died when they were young, and they were moved from family to family before finally going on their own, separately, at the age of 8 (Nam Soon) and 10 (brother). She had a difficult early life, seeing people dying in the street during the war. Understandably, she did not like to talk about her past. When she went on her own, at 8, she found room and board for herself where she worked. She eventually worked on a U.S. military base in Korea, where she met her future husband, Lawrence Tai Pew Tom. After they were married and living in the U.S., Sue attended night school to obtain a GED. Lawrence stayed in the Army for 27 years. It was Nam Soon’s resilience and tenacity that kept the family together through nine moves throughout the U.S. and Panama and the welcoming and raising of three kids, Raymond, Guy, and Winona.
Sue was an amazing cook. Everything she made, from a roast and mashed potatoes, to stew and mac salad, to kalbi, meat jun, and mun doo were the best you could have. She put her culinary skills to use in military base cafeteria settings, a military base grill, which she ran, McDonald’s Mililani, where she was a supervisor, and a Mililani delicatessen, which she owned and ran, first with a partner then on her own.
Sue was dedicated to her family and home life. She worked hard for everything she attained in her life. She was proud of having a home, a loving husband and family, and that she raised three kids who all went to college. She took special pride and enjoyment in her only grandchild, Ben. Sue also loved gardening. She won a “Best Garden” award while living on the Naval Supply Depot in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Her garden at home in Hawaii bloomed with many of her hand planted and cared for varieties, especially her Cattleya orchids. A one point she was an avid knitter and also took up the piano for some time as a hobby. Whatever she put her mind to, she could do well. Sue was a huge fan of Korean TV dramas. She liked to read the Bible and attended St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wahiawa, Hawaii.
Nam Soon was preceded in death by her son, Raymond Tom; and followed in death by her husband, Lawrence Tom. Nam Soon is survived by her son, Guy (Reiko) Tom of Koa Ridge, Hawaii; daughter, Winona (Thomas) Statz of San Diego, California; grandson, Benjamin Statz of San Diego, California; and nieces, nephews, and their families.
A private memorial service will be held for close family and friends. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to support research into Alzheimer’s disease, such as the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
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