Mom moved in with us on 12/13/14 after falling and breaking a hip in the Savemart parking lot in Milpitas. This was our chance to do something in return for all the kindness and generosity we received for so many years. And while gradually drifting into dementia, mom remained the gentle and quiet lady I had come to know and love as my mother-in-law.

We miss you Mom

Laura and Alyssa, grand-nieces:  You would send us gifts even after you were retired.

Paul Uemura, brother:  Very, very sweet and caring, only sibling that gave me money. Went out of her way to keep in touch with me when I was stationed at the Coast Guard Station at Alameda, California.

Jean Mundell, sister: 'Small Okan' (Little Mother) was what Uncle Bert called her because she helped Mama at home with the other children and chores. She taught me to be interested in poetry and politics. I learned a number of poems from her - 'Break Break, Break...', 'Three Fishers'. Memorized names of Federal cabinet members under FDR!"

Kenneth Mills, nephew:  She had a 1960's (?) white Dodge Dart that was running rough. We looked at it and the spark plugs didn't match? She said her mechanic was very nice but was getting older and she didn't want to get someone else. She was always kind and forgiving!!

Florence Mills, niece-in-law:  Her being there for all the Holidays, Birthday parties, all the special gifts she got the girls and Kenny and me. She was always so generous and thoughtful, and so very kind.

Sean Wakayama, nephew:  I remember visiting the mobile home and Aunt Dorothy hosting me casually and graciously. I am not sure the reason for the visit but it may have been for delivering gifts from or to Hawaii while I was in the Bay Area.

Hidemi Wakayama, niece-in-law: I remember when we first met at Sean's parents' house. You were very gracious and kind to everyone. Your intelligence and wit were absolutely delightful! I will miss your beautiful smile and gentle spirit.

Melinda, granddaughter: (1) When we would go to Macy's for our shopping trip - one year, we went to the children's department where Grammy used to work, and this young woman came up to us with excitement and was going on and on about how we have the best and sweetest grandmother ever. (It was a proud granddaughter moment.)  (2) One of my 'special' memories of Grammy is honestly when she would watch Alisa and me as kids, and would walk around the house and would let out a 'boomer'. When I confronted her about it, she confessed and said, "I boomered." And that was that. (It was the cutest thing ever.) I love you. God bless.

Evan, grandson-in-law: (1) When we all went to the Hawaiian restaurant in San Jose, that memory of seeing Grandma Dorothy surrounded by all her family and friends, sitting there smiling. (2) How friendly she was to me, she seemed like such a nice person. Despite the Alzheimer's, she still remembered me (not always, but she always made the effort)! I wish I could have met her sooner, but what few moments we shared, I will treasure forever."

Alisa, granddaughter: (1) "Instant Ramen" - Grandma taught me how she preferred to make instant ramen. It was 1 package instant ramen, frozen peas or corn, only half of the seasoning packet, and then an egg poached under the noodles with just enough water. It was yummy! (2) "Grandma Wisdom" - I was watching tv as a kid, lying on the ground with my head propped on a pillow. Grandma scolded, "You shouldn't slouch - that's how I got my hunch!" True or not, it stuck with me! (3) "Grandma Yelling" - Grandma would also babysit and travel anywhere to watch us and babysit. Sister smashed my finger in a drawer and Grandma exclaimed in a very soft version of yelling, "Oh! Oh! Why did you do that?" (4) "Bento" - One Christmas, I received a copy of the 'Washoku' cookbook. I was showing Grandma and she described how her mother would make her and her siblings bento boxes for their lunch. They were always pretty. Grandma remembered the umeboshi (plum) that would be in the rice to keep it fresh.

Dorothy Y. Slape, 91, died of natural causes at her home in Sonora on Feb. 16, 2018. The eldest of six children, Dorothy was born and raised in Koloa, Kauai, Territory (now State) of Hawaii. She enjoyed a rather idyllic childhood until the bombing of Pearl Harbor catapulted the U.S. into World War II. Among other things, mandatory gasoline rationing compelled her father to close his service station. The family made ends meet and helped in the war effort by providing laundry service for U.S. troops stationed on Kauai. A few years later, while attending the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, Dorothy met her future husband, John “Jack” Slape, a U.S. Navy Seaman stationed at Pearl Harbor. She was working her way through college as a ballroom dance instructor for the Arthur Murray Dance Studio, and he was her student! They eventually married and settled in northern California.

Dorothy worked full-time throughout most of her adult life, including positions at Fort Mason, Lockheed, and Santa Clara University. She earned a Masters Degree in English from San Jose State University where she worked for more than 30 years in the Admissions and Records Dept. To avoid being idle during evenings and weekends, Dorothy also worked part-time for many years at Macy’s department store. She finally retired from SJSU at the age of 83! Wherever she worked or lived, Dorothy was known for her gentle, sweet spirit, her patience, kindness, selflessness, generosity and amazing work ethic. She was a devout member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Milpitas.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Susan Vegter-Slape and son-in-law, Frans Vegter, of Sonora; granddaughters, Alisa and Melinda, of southern California; sister, Jean Mundell, of Los Gatos; brother, Paul Uemura, of Hawaii; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tetsuji “Ted” and Matsuyo (Koga) Uemura; brother, Herbert; and sisters, Katherine and Marjorie.

In accordance with her wishes, Dorothy was interred in St. Patrick’s Catholic Mountain View Cemetery in Sonora. Private family services have been held. Those who knew Dorothy are encouraged to share their thoughts and memories at http://dorothy-slape.forevermissed.com

Published March 22, 2018 in The Union Democrat