A Seattle-area family is devastated after losing their mother and father — both victims of the coronavirus — two days apart.
Elizabeth Mar, 72, the beloved matriarch of the local Hawaiian restaurant, Kona Kitchen, passed away on Wednesday, March 27. Two days later, on Friday, Robert Mar, 78, succumbed to the disease.
“It’s a huge devastation for our family,” daughter Angie Okumoto told the Seattle Times.
“It’s a nightmare I can’t seem to wake up from,” Angie Okumoto said. “I’m just stunned. When she went into the hospital I thought ‘I’m sure she’ll make it.’ It’s all the more stunning and heartbreaking.”
The couple died at the same hospital two days apart, at the exact same time of day: 1:35 a.m. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this August.
Liz and Robert have three children and seven grandchildren.
Since 2002, the family operated the Kona Kitchen, a Seattle-area institution., serving up Hawaiian favorites including loco moco and Kahlua pork. Many of the restaurant’s loyal customers addressed Elizabeth Mar as “Auntie” or “Grandma.”
Later they opened a second restaurant in Lynwood.
Like most restaurants in Seattle, Kona Kitchen has been struggling with the shutdown caused by the coranavirus. The Lynwood location has been temporarily closed but the Seattle restaurant is still offering take-out orders.
“We’re just trying to stay afloat,” Okumoto says, “and keep as many employees afloat as much as we can.”
* * * For takeout from Kona Kitchen, call or stop in to the Seattle location at 8501 Fifth Ave. N.E., Seattle; 206-517-5662; konakitchen.com
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