Frances Yoshiko (Sugihara) Nomura

December 24, 1926 — July 1, 2022

Frances Yoshiko (Sugihara) Nomura the youngest of six children, was born to Utaro and Masu Sugihara on December 24, 1926 in Puyallup, Washington. Her siblings, George, Dorothy, Ruth, Harry, and Martha admired and loved Frances from a young age for her fervor for life and compassionate love for all she encountered.

Frances’ childhood years were spent attending both a public and Japanese school, while also helping her family on their farm in Puyallup. Though WWII interrupted her high school years, she earned her high school diploma from Ogden High School in 1945. However, through her time spent at Puyallup Assembly Center (Camp Harmony) beginning in 1942 and eventually being sent to Minidoka Internment Camp in Idaho; Frances would come to know the love of her life, Frank Nomura.

After being released from Minidoka in 1943, Frances moved to Ogden, Utah. Frank met her there when he returned from serving in the 442nd in WWII. Frances married Frank in a double wedding with her sister Martha and Minoru Hamada on March 18, 1946. They then moved to Detroit for work but came home as Frances desired to raise her children near her family. Upon returning to Utah, Frances worked at a local tomato canning company, Wolfer’s Department Store, Marquart, and Hill Air Force Base. She was also an active member of the Ogden Japanese Christian Church, the Roy Junior Chamber of Commerce, and the Roy Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary.

From Ogden, Frank and Frances would later live in Yuma, Arizona for a few years before finally settling in Las Vegas, Nevada. But no matter where they were, whether it was traveling in their motorhome, traveling internationally, spending time with friends, golfing or playing bingo, Frank and Frances enjoyed all their years together.

But what was always most important to Frances was her family. She was the proud mother of son, Frank Daniel (Norma); daughter, Connie Christine; and son, Kent Jeffrey (Mary Ann) and enjoyed every moment of being a mother. She was also the proud grandmother of seven granddaughters and one grandson, eighteen great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. If asked, all of her family would tell you that Frances loved nothing more than spending time with her family. Whether it was gymnastics meets, softball games, golf tournaments, soccer tournaments, holidays or simply family visits, Frances loved the times with her family most.

Frances lived her 95 years to the fullest and is fondly remembered for her compassionate love and care that she gave to everyone. She will be greatly missed, but she is reunited with the love of her life, and her legacy will live on in the lives of her family for generations to come.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and all of her siblings.

The family deeply appreciates the dedicated nurses in the Emergency Room at the Centennial Hospital and the loving care of the Nathan Adelson Home Hospice Staff. Thank you for treating mom with love, dignity and respect.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Garden of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Road, Ogden, Utah.

Condolences may be shared at: www.lindquistmortuary.com.