1930 – 2016

WEST PARIS — Fumiko Saunders, 85, a resident of West Paris, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 14, at Ledgeview Living Center.

Fumiko was born in Tsingtao, China, the daughter of Arakichi and Misao Uemoto on Jan. 23, 1930.

At age 17, at the end of the war, the family was forced to move to Japan. A few years later, during the Vietnam War, she met O’Neil Saunders, an American soldier from Bethel. They corresponded for a time and then on Dec. 20, 1957, she became the War Bride at the American Embassy in Tokyo, Japan.

They welcomed their son, Robert, the following year. Fumiko and her son lived in Bethel with her in-laws, while her husband went off to war once again. Being a military wife, Fumiko moved to several states in the United States. In an effort to make her husband proud, she worked hard to learn English and on Dec. 11, 1961, she did indeed; she received her Certificate of Naturalization. They welcomed another son, Steven, soon after.

In 1973, the family moved to South Paris where she worked for several years at (Andrews Nursing Home) Market Square Nursing Home. She enjoyed going to beano and doing puzzles with her granddaughter during this time. In 2011, she moved to West Paris where she lived independently and spent much of her time doing crossword puzzles. She loved her visits with her grandsons when they were in town. She shared stories of her history with Nate, which he really enjoyed and Kaiden always made her smile.

She cherished and was so proud of her grandchildren, Cara, Corey and Derek Saunders and adored her great-grandsons, Nate and Kaiden Kesseli.

She is survived by her beloved son, Bob and his wife, Sandi, of Norway; her son, Steven of Oxford; her grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and a great friend, Eric Kesseli.

She was predeceased by her husband, O’Neil Saunders in 1987.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Tammy and Helen of Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice. We extend a huge thank-you to all of the staff at Ledgeview Living Center, especially Kendy. We will never forget the kindness you have all shown us.

Condolences can be expressed to the family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.