Sumiko Hayashida Kring's Obituary
Sumiko Hayashida Kring, 86, of Hayward, CA, entered into rest at her home on April 6,
2021.
Born in Nagasaki, Japan, on December 2, 1934, Sumiko excelled in many handcrafts as
a child. As a young lady after WWII, she was a gifted seamstress and later worked for a
large company in Japan until a tall handsome Navy man came into her life.
Douglas R. Kring and Sumiko met in Sasebo and were wed in 1961. They moved to
San Diego, and in September of 1963, their son Daniel was born. After Douglas
returned from Vietnam, they settled into a house in Hayward, where she continued to
live until her end of life - 49 years.
Sumiko loved taking classes in Japanese Tea Ceremony and continued to pursue her
interests in Japanese culture such as Ikebana (Japanese Flower Arrangement) and
Origami to hone her talents.
Sumiko’s greatest passion was being able to assist cancer survivors with their self confidence and dignity. In 2005, she and Douglas opened a shop in downtown
Hayward, SHK Boutique (An Elegant Form), where they provided stylish, flattering
reconstructive essentials and clothing. Sumiko closed her shop some years later due to
Douglas’ health, but she always kept up-to-date with cancer awareness literature and
continued to be a devoted supporter of the American Cancer Society. Being an avid
seamstress, she continued to sew and craft items for the Hayward Senior Center
boutique until 2020 when shutdowns occurred.
Sumiko was preceded in death by her parents Satoru and Kisa Hayashida, brother
Kiyoshi Hayashida, brother-in-law Yasuyuki Matsumoto, all of Japan; parents-in-law
Morris and Anna Kring of Fremont; brother-in-law Roswell Kring of Washington; and her
husband, Douglas Kring (married 51 years).
She is survived by her sisters Teruko Stipe of Idaho and Shigeko Matsumoto of Japan;
son Daniel (Katia), grandsons Daniel and Maximillian, all of Hayward; nephew Warren
Kring, niece Mary Hoefel (Mike), their children Jennifer and Bradley, sister-in-law Norma
Kring, all of Washington; niece Eileen Mahaffy (Brian), their sons Alexander and Tyler of
Idaho; nieces and nephew Michiyo and Kayo Hayashida, Mitsuyo, Eri, and Yoshihiro
Matsumoto; sister-in-law Taiko Hayashida; and many other relatives in Japan.
A private family internment will be held.
What’s your fondest memory of Sumiko?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sumiko?
Share a story where Sumiko's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sumiko you’ll never forget.
How did Sumiko make you smile?
