Carrie Sue Nishimoto

With hearts full of love, gratitude and sorrow, we announce the passing of Carrie Sue Nishimoto (née Van Camp), who courageously took her final bow – surrounded by her loving sons on October 4, 2026, at 79 years old. Carrie was a woman of extraordinary courage and boundless energy, who lived her life as a fearless force of nature – loving, nurturing, and unforgettable.

Carrie was known to her grandchildren simply as “Nana”. She was devoted to her family and a generous friend to many. Carrie had a heart of gold, and is always a phone call away, ready to help or listen to anyone who needed comfort, a friend or just to be heard.

Carrie built a life defined by resilience, independence and deep loyalty. When she was a mother raising two young boys, she worked tirelessly to be the sole provider for her sons; her care-giving role continued a few years later while caring for her aging parents, through many sleepless nights, unending days and balancing work and home life. For over 39 years, Carrie worked tirelessly with United Airlines and eventually retired in a leadership position as part of management with the Maintenance Team in 2005. Carrie set the perfect example of building a loving and nurturing home, self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and serving others – characteristics she passed on to her sons.

As a parent, Carrie sacrificed her own comfort and protected her family’s survival, enduring hardship while maintaining grace and composure despite hard times. She was proud to be a disciplinarian and with the traits of a samurai “bushidō” mother, she was more than a caregiver; while she was a protector of her sons, she also had a moral compass that molded her sons’ character and sense of duty tailored after the bushidō virtues of loyalty, courage, integrity and honor. Carrie lived life exactly on her terms: unapologetic and no nonsense. While Carrie had a generous heart, she had a sharp wit and stood her ground when needed.

Carrie’s bright smile lit up a room and her infectious laughter sometimes erupted into chaos. Always a social butterfly, lover of life and get-togethers, she was full of energy and thrived on interactions. Carrie built lifelong friendships and made time to join her beloved United Airlines “gang” the Hangtown Miners. She had special connections within her local Lathrop community – her daily rounds were not complete if she did not visit or sometimes provided treats to her friends working at the grocery store, the smoke shop for her lotto, or having a chat with her dear folks at her favorite donut shop. She’s been known to occasionally share baked goodies at her dentist’s office and with San Mateo and San Joaquin County staffers. Gift-giving brought her happiness. Her compassion also extended to the unhoused members of the Lathrop community as she dropped off care packages of basic life essentials to those in need.

Carrie was a passionate person and always looked forward to what may be exciting. She loved her Food Network shows and its celebrity chefs, eating luxurious foods, and new experiences. She loved traveling and whether it’s visiting Japan with family, exploring Europe with a granddaughter or friend, or her monthly trips to Las Vegas, she was always up for the adventure. She frequently visited Hawaii as part of family vacations and expressed a special affinity for the aloha state. Carrie’s love of life includes animals. From tank swimmers to furry-four-footed friends, she always had a soft spot in her heart reserved for pets; she often bought treats and gifts, went on park walks, and accommodated pet-sitting requests. The Las Vegas duo of mini Poodles, Milo and Dax will surely miss her loving presence and gifts, Bay area residents All-American “Fusion Fido”, Ollie, and German Sheperd, Macy will be sadly astonished at her extended absence, Lodi house cat, Romeo will truly miss his surprise treats from Nana, Lathrop residents Siberian Husky, Koda will miss playtimes and her indulgent treats, Japanese slider turtle Bowsie will wonder why Nana no longer comes up to the tank to watch him swim, and Siberian furry feline Luna will be sad Nana and her can no longer watch their crime shows together in her room.

Carrie was talented in many ways. She was a baker who could whip up the most decadent cakes including her award-winning Kahlua cake; she also volunteered at her local bakeshop while making extravagant wedding cakes for loved ones in her free time. She was a fierce soccer mom who rarely missed her sons’ soccer games. She exuded a commanding presence during their games and was very proud of the fact that she could support both her boys playing two soccer games on the same day in two completely different cities around the same time. For multiple years, Carrie was the designated team mom to both of Jon and Mark’s traveling teams.

Carrie is survived by her loving and ardently devoted two sons and their spouses: Jon and Lani of Oakland, and Mark and Pris of Lathrop. Carrie is a proud grandmother of nine talented and beautiful grandchildren: Raelyn, Alexandria, Haley, Melanie, Thomas, Sherissa, Kupono, Justine, and Kalei, and the two cutest great-grandchildren: Jaylene and Kekoa. She is also survived by two dear brothers, Ellis and Allan of Vacaville. She lovingly leaves behind two people she was particularly fond of - a “third son”, Tom of Hayward who seems to be the only one who can make Carrie love blueberries, and Arlene of Rancho Murieta, a precious loved one who unofficially holds the title of nurse consultant and steadfastly nurtured a continuous bond of warm caring and reliable kinship for years. Carrie affectionately bids farewell to extended relatives and loving friends throughout California, Nevada, Chicago, Alaska, Illinois, and Japan.

Carrie was predeceased by her loving parents, Thomas (1997), and Lily (2018); her brother, Mark of Mountain View, passed a few years not long after their father departed. Carrie was also preceded in death by her former spouse, Vernon (1993), father to their sons, Jon and Mark.

Carrie was a complex woman. She was mischievous yet humorous. She was proud but never haughty. She recognized praise yet humble enough to accept it. She was resilient but open to vulnerability. She was admirable and turned the other cheek when insulted. She is completely irreplaceable. She is survived by a legacy of compassion, strength, independence, and unforgettable charm; she leaves a blueprint for living courageously, with humor, and courteousness. She showed us it is okay to live life fearlessly, to be adventurous, and to enjoy life even if it means taking risks. Her spirit lives on in those she nurtured, supported, and even those who have known her but for a minute. To have met her and know her was to be seen, and to be part of her memory.

We extend our most sincere gratitude to everyone, especially those who have made Carrie’s life exceptional. Though the world feels a little less bright and robust, and not as exciting without her in it, we carry her light with us in the way we show up for the people we love and extend it to the people in our communities.

Carrie will be deeply missed but forever remembered for the love she freely gave and the hope she brought to everyone around her. To our mom Carrie, and the grandchildren’s Nana, we promise to keep the legacy going -with unending love, kindness, humor, and memories of you.

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away”

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Carrie’s life and legacy tentatively planned for January 2027. Extended family, relatives and beloved friends will be invited to gather as a tribute to Carrie.