OBITUARY: Stella Isao Kimura

KIMURA, STELLA ISAO, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home on May 19, 2012 at the age of 96. She was born in Sebastopol, Calif. on March 20, 1916 to Ichitaro and Yumi Shigematsu. She was educated in Japan with her sister Rose and returned to California in 1931. Stella is survived by her daughters, Karen (Norman) Hanami, Elizabeth and Nancy (Marc Birnbaum); grandchildren, Matthew, Nicolas and Mara. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas T. Kimura; sisters, Rose Midori Furuzawa and Esther Kaoru Mukaida. Stella will be remembered as a consummate seamstress who was accomplished in crocheting, knitting and embroidery. In her later years, she was an active participant at Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay in Berkeley. She produced works of art that were always included in the annual ASEB “Art from the Heart” benefit.
A memorial service was held for Stella at the Berkeley Buddhist Temple.
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