Alice Sakai was born Alice Haruko Wake in Reedley California on December 27, 1918. She, along with five sisters and two brothers, grew up on a farm where they learned the virtues of hard work and dedication. In 1942 the Wake family was sent to a wartime relocation camp in Poston, Arizona.
After the internment, she met and married Tom Y. Sakai in September 1945 and they settled in Indio, California. In Indio, Alice dedicated herself to maintaining a household and caring for 4 growing boys while supporting the family produce business. She and her husband Tom were active members of the Indio Methodist church. Following her husband Tom’s passing in 1971, she managed the produce business until her retirement in 1988. During that time she continued to actively support the church and numerous service organizations in the Coachella Valley. Her dedication to serving the local community and to making a positive difference in people’s lives is an inspiration to all who knew her. In 2001 she moved to the Regent’s Point community in Irvine where she resided until her passing. She is survived by her four sons, Tom, Leland, Les and Stan, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and four of her siblings.
Memorial services to celebrate and honor her life will be held in Irvine, CA and Indio, CA. The Indio service will be held at Coachella Valley Cemetery, 82952 Avenue 52, Coachella CA on July 21at 9:30 a.m. The Irvine service will be held on July 23 at 10:30 a.m. at Regents Point, Fellowship Hall. Parking and shuttles to the Irvine service will be at University United Methodist Church, 18422 Culver Dr., Irvine from 10:00 a.m. For further information regarding these services, please email tomsakai@cox.net. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Shepherd of the Valley United Methodist Church (Indio), University United Methodist Church(Irvine), Habitat for Humanity or the Alzheimer Foundation.
