Obituary of Motoko Sundin

Motoko (Katie) Sundin, age 91, passed away on September 29, 2023, after a brief illness.

Motoko was born in Seoul, Korea to Tatsuo and Masako (Yoshino) Murakami. Motoko spent her teenage years in Kyoto, Japan, working at her uncle's flower shop. She graduated from Doshisha University with a degree in English. By 1954, Motoko was a translator for the American Forces, and she later worked in a secretarial office at the ammunition depot. It was at this point in her life that she met First Lieutenant Carl (Bill) Sundin, a detachment commander.

Shortly after the depot closed, Motoko and Bill were married in a small wedding at the Union Church in Kobe. The couple moved to the United States in 1960, where they first lived in Philadelphia, PA and then in Mt. Laurel, NJ, raising their two children. During this time, Motoko taught piano, giving lessons daily in their home. She proudly became an American citizen in 1977. After earning a teaching degree from Rowan University (Glassboro State), Motoko taught 4^th grade in the Barrington School District for two years and then taught 3^rd grade at Countryside Elementary School for 21 years. While building a curriculum focused on local history, Motoko wrote and published a book in 1987, A Children's History of Burlington County, that was used in third grade classes for over a decade. She was an active member of the Seabrook Buddhist Temple, serving as a translator, pianist, and member of the Minyo Dancers. After retirement in 2001, Motoko and Bill moved to Whitehouse Station, where she served on various committees in their Four Seasons community.

Motoko and Bill enjoyed traveling the world, with trips throughout Europe and Japan, and several trips to the Bahamas with their grandchildren. She continued to play the piano and gave impromptu concerts for her retirement community. Motoko enjoyed gardening, entertaining, countless walks with Bill, and spending time with her family. She was often a person to identify needs in her various communities and work to fill them, and she will be lovingly remembered for living life on her terms—with lots of spunk and gusto!

Motoko was predeceased by her father Tatsuo, her mother Masako, and her beloved husband of 58 years, Bill. She is survived by her children Amy and her husband Vincent Molinaro of Green Pond, NJ, George and his wife Janette of Williamston, MI, and her six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 Rte. 10, Randolph, NJ. Visitation 10-11 am with a service immediately following.

Donations in her memory may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Brain Foundation.