Sumika "Connie" (Hirakawa) Southwell

Sumika "Connie" Southwell, 86, of Petoskey, died October 12, 2018.

Sumika was born in Fukuoka, Japan on May 11, 1932, the daughter of Katsushi and Satsuki Hirakawa.

Sumika was working as a switchboard operator in Tokyo when she first met Richard "Dick" Southwell. Dick was serving in the U.S. Army during the Korea conflict. They were married on January 10, 1955, in Tokyo. In 1956, they moved to America, where they split their time between Kansas City, Kansas and St. Louis, Missouri until eventually moving to Petoskey in 1969.

Sumika worked in various places over the years, including Top Value Stamps, and as a breakfast cook at the Petoskey Nursing Home/Bortz. In 1989, Dick and Sumika opened Petoskey Sewing Center and operated it as a family business until 2004.

Sumika loved sewing, quilting and tending to her flower gardens. In recent years, she took up painting and enjoyed BINGO.

Sumika is survived by her daughter, Sherry (Frank) Petrowski of Petoskey; her son, Rich (Joan Lum) Southwell of Hermosa Beach, California; daughter-in-law, Laura Southwell of Howell, Michigan; grandchildren, Justin (Chantell) Petrowski of Linden, Michigan, Sumika Petrowski of Washington DC, Jennifer (Joe) Foldenauer of Webberville, Michigan and Chuckie Southwell of Howell, Michigan; and her great granddaughters, Ellie and Emmy Petrowski of Linden, Michigan.

Sumika was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Southwell; and her son, Chuck Southwell.

For those wishing to make a charitable donation in Sumika's memory, please consider the Emmet County Friendship Center.

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