Setsuko “Bess” Matsuoka, age 92, has been a devoted Generations Magazine (GM) reader since the beginning. We at Generations have come to know her well from the many calls she’s made to us, and through her article and recipe submissions. She calls us with holiday greetings and never misses the opportunity to show her appreciation of each and every issue.
“I am very much a fan of Generations,” she told me over the phone. “I love everything about it. I think it is the perfect, perfect magazine. Every one is informative. I look forward to each issue!”
Bess lives independently in a townhouse in Wailuku, Maui. She was born on March 3, 1933, 3-3-33. Her affinity for numerology and appreciation of kismet are in complete harmony with her faith in God and His divine plan. Her spiritual side has always been very strong, she says.
“Everybody I have met, especially those connected with Generations, was orchestrated by divine power,” she says. “There are no coincidences; no accidents,” she says. “Everything happens for a reason.” That includes meeting former GM Editor Katherine Smith. “I was fortunate to become friends with her. Before she left Hawai‘i, she gave me her collection of Generations Magazines. “And I have the very first issue,” she said in a way that convinced me it was very dear to her. “I have read every article in every magazine and every one is precious, so I share them with others, so they can be blessed by reading them, too.”
The issue that really inspired her was “Brothers in Arms” written by Katherine. She said she had the good fortune to get to know Bo Mahoe, one of the subjects of the story. “I also became friends with Sherry Goya, the publisher’s mother. Even though I no longer have a subscription, Sherry sends me complimentary copies. I am thrilled to see them in my mailbox!”
She said she speaks often to GM Art Director Wilson Angel, who she just calls “Angel.” “She has positive comments about each issue,” he says.
Bess retired from the State of Hawai‘i Department of Social Services and now spends her time writing uplifting stories for seniors that capture the wisdom and humor of the old days.
Bess attended the Methodist church for 30 years. But recently, she felt compelled to “go out there with people.” So she began attending Maui Intersection Church, where she helps the unsheltered population by sharing her testimonies, saying “whatever the Lord puts in her heart.”
With appreciation and love, Bess continued to talk about her late husband, her family, and others, including the Generations staff. “The Generations staff puts us, the readers, at the top!”
“No wonder the staff talks about you all the time!” I tell her. “You are so kind!” Bess replies, “What you see in me is actually what is in your heart — like a mirror. I feel blessed to have the Generations staff in my journey through life.”
Setsuko “Bess” Matsuoka, GM’s No. 1 fan, is not just like family—she is family.
We, too, are blessed.
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