Satsuko Anderson

Satsuko Anderson, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, 93, passed away unexpectedly January 4, 2026. Known to most as Sachi, Sam and most recent endearment “ Q-tip” for her white hair shaped like a Q-tip. She was born on January 7, 1932 in Kagoshima, Japan to Kiyoshi Shimizu and Tomiko Eito. The family had moved to Tokunoshima where she lived and attended school. When she was 20 years old she went to Okinawa to help her cousin at her restaurant. While working there she met her future husband Cecil (Andy) Anderson. He was a Marine stationed in Okinawa. He would come into the restaurant after being out on liberty pass and a night on the town. He asked her what was good to eat and she suggested curry rice, which became his favorite. Aside from working at her cousin’s restaurant, she also worked on the Marine base at the mess hall. Soon after he was order to Korea. While he was away, their daughter Miyuki as born. He returned to Okinawa, however, soon after his return he was order to Vietnam. When he returned from Vietnam the family sailed to the United States. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California. This was an adventure for Sachi not knowing how it would be in another country. It didn’t take long for her to be involved. She became active in Miyuki’s school, becoming a room mom and found herself working at a meat company making sandwiches for their food trucks. She learned to drive, took cake decorating, and became friends with other Marine wives. The family was not there too long before he was ordered back to Okinawa which was ok with Sachi since she was able to visit with her relatives and family friends. In 1974 they returned back to California with another order, this time he was stationed in Barstow, where he retired shortly after. They purchased a home and she lived there for 42 years even after she lost the love of her life in 1987. 

Sachi was involved with Women of the Moose, becoming an officer for number of years. Once again she had a group of Marine wives who became lifelong friends that enjoyed lots of get togethers which always involved food, always on the go with SGI meetings, bingo nights, bus trips to state line and Las Vegas. Most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren, vacationing with them, and driving to Redlands to be with her family. In her later years, she moved to Redlands to be closer to her family. The last three years were spent with her daughter and son- in-law.

Sachi was preceded in death by her parents Kiyoshi and Tomiko Shimizu, her beloved husband Andy and her grandson Joseph Benavides.

She is survived by her daughter Miyuki LeMay (Paul), granddaughter Candace Stang (Andy), great- grandson Wesley, great granddaughter Eleanor. grandson Ben LeMay (Anji) great-grandson Cassius all of Redlands.

Sachi will be laid to rest with her husband at Riverside National Cemetery.