If angels like cake—and why wouldn't they?—it's a happy time in heaven.

Sandy Kodama, also known as “;Mom”; to the customers and staff of Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, had a fabulous recipe for oatmeal cake with a sweet, sticky topping of nuts and coconut.

Somehow, I'm sure she took it with her. If they have ovens up there—do they need ovens up there?—the angels are stuffed full of cake.

Kodama died Saturday, and a lot of us are taking it personally. She was the meeter and greeter at her son D.K.'s restaurant, but that was hardly the half of it. She was simply unsurpassed in her ability to keep people comfortable and well-fed, to make them feel as though their feelings counted and their business was appreciated. And I say this as someone who goes to a lot of restaurants on a professional basis.

She always remembered not just me, but my family, my brother, my brother's baby. She was a natural. It was her gift. D.K. says his mother was essential to the business. “;I'd give her the restaurant. She could do anything she wanted, and all she asked for was a couple pieces of salmon sushi.”;

Those of us who got to know her outside of Sansei will always remember that big smile and that huge, happy spirit.

A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Oct. 18 at Makiki Christian Church, 829 Pensacola St., across from McKinley High School. Visitation will be from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Doubtless, a crowd will show up to pay tribute. I believe that if the laws of nature allowed, “;Mom”; would try to feed them all. Probably something warm and sweet. Something like this cake.

Kodama gave me the recipe several years ago, when she was baking it weekly to serve at Sansei at Restaurant Row (the restaurant is now in Waikiki). It was a favorite of the guys in the newsroom, which seemed to make her quite proud.

The cake was also the favorite of D.K., who says he'd be a much skinnier man if he hadn't eaten so much of it over the years.

Oatmeal Cake

Sandy Kodama

1-1/2 cups boiling water
1 cup oatmeal (not instant)
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, well-beaten
1/2 cup butter
1-1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
» Topping:
6 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour boiling water over oatmeal and let stand 20 minutes.

Add sugars, eggs and butter to oatmeal.

Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Add to oatmeal mixture and stir well.

Pour into a greased 13-by-9-inch pan. Bake 30 minutes.

To make topping: Combine ingredients and spread over baked cake. Place under a broiler until bubbly and golden brown.