I’ll Be Waiting for You

Although your heart may be broken,There’s no need to weep for me.

I’m in a wonderful place now,Where I’m happy and so carefree.

I had to go, but I’ve left behindGood memories to comfort you.

Concentrate on the best times we had,And try not to feel so blue.

For one day we’ll be together again,To laugh and sing and play.

You’ll be so glad to see me again,It will seem I was gone just one day.

So try to lift up your heads now,And dare to set grief aside,

Because I’ll be waiting for you,To welcome you to the other side.

~ by Kelly Roper

A Celebration of Life

Bette Hamaguchi

March 20, 1931 – October 21, 2019

A Special Tribute to Bette

Born on 3/20/31 in Bakersfield, CA to mom (Ada - born in Bakersfield) and dad (Jung Sun - immigrated from China !). She grew up with her brothers, Herb (the wild child), Henry (the cool one), & lil sister, Virginia (the angel).

Her childhood in Bakersfield nurtured responsibility, family values, and familial relationships. She always made people feel included and welcome. In turn, friends are family, Ohana to all.

Bette left Bakersfield for San Jose State University, where she met her husband, Howard, who passed away on 11/6/89 & more lifelong friends. She went back to Bakersfield to get married (6/16/57), and settled in San Mateo, CA soon after. She started her teacher career at Selby Lane in Menlo Park. In 1959, she had a kid, Steve (a well-adjusted only child & not spoiled - just kidding). Bette later changed her career to banking in Central Bank in San Mateo and eventually settled on a career assisting the head of San Mateo Health Department, all the while garnering more friends. The "well-adjusted child" got married in 1991 to Connie, and they have two daughters, Marissa & Heather.

Bette has assorted hobbies ranging from arts & crafts to cooking, shopping for antiques, eating out, and gambling (duh).

Bette's favorite career was being a doting grandma ("Gram" as Marissa & Heather call her). She tirelessly provided them with snacks, cooked their favorite foods, picked them up from preschool to elementary school to middle school to high school, piano lessons, art lessons, dance lessons, San Francisco Zoo, and field trips. She enjoyed listening & watching Barney, Disney, Nickelodeon, & all kinds of movies as long as she did them with Marissa & Heather.

More fun facts about Bette include eating a 1 lb. box of chocolates on Valentine's Day, eating fresh cooked crab 🦀 (just the body till the plate is full of shells), and playing Slots 🎰 and Poker machines all day and night.

Her favorite movies included Magic Mike XXL and Footloose. Her favorite music included Sh-Boom by The Chords, Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto, The Twist by Chubby Checker, Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers, Oh, Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison, and (if you knew her, you know) Drop It Like It's Hot by Snoop Dogg (direct Bette quote: "What a handsome man!").

Order of Service

By Reverend Warren Lee

Introduction/Words of Welcome

Life Tribute

Brief Informal Tributes

Acknowledgements and Closing

Reception:1:30 p.m.

Cheung Hing Restaurant245 El Camino RealMillbrae, CA 94030

(650) 652-3938

(Bette will be buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery with Howard. Her burial service is NOT open to everyone as per the Cemetery’s protocol.)