SAKAMOTO, MICHIKO HIRASAKI, of Kensington, CA, passed away peacefully at home Aug. 6, 2012, after a long illness. Born in Gilroy, Calif. on March 11, 1927, the daughter of Haruye Yonemitsu and Kiyoshi Hirasaki. She was the fourth sibling of eight children. Michiko attended schools in Gilroy. During World War II, she graduated from high school and attended junior college in Grand Junction, Colo.

Upon her return to CA in 1945, she attended UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco, where she earned her BS degree in pharmacy science. Michiko worked at Lovotti’s Pharmacy in San Francisco. In 1953, she married William Sakamoto; their son Paul was born in 1963.

The family enjoyed many interests and pursued them during their travels. Special favorites included golf, tennis and skiing. In her later years, she enjoyed playing bridge.

Michiko is survived by husband, William Sakamoto; and son, Paul Sakamoto; sisters, Mineko Sakai and Aiko Nakamura; brother, Hisashi Hirasaki; and many nieces and nephews. Michiko was predeceased by her parents; brothers, Manabi and Shinobu Hirasaki; and sisters, Fumiko Maruko and Midori Oki.

Final committal to take place in Gilroy, Sept. 22 at 11 a.m.