NAITO, AMY E., 92, longtime resident of Costa Mesa, CA, passed away peacefully at Hoag Hospital Newport Beach in late September. Cause of death was plasma cell leukemia. A retired schoolteacher, Amy was recognized in 2015 for her long volunteer service at Sonora Elementary School in Costa Mesa. She was also a member of the Unity Church Tustin and attended regular workouts with the Silver Sneakers at the YMCA.

Born in Suisun City, California, Amy had to leave her home during WWII during the forced interment of Japanese-Americans on the West Coast. Initially at the Gila River, AZ, relocation camp with the rest of her family, she was allowed to attend college back East, receiving a degree in occupational therapy from Milwaukee-Downer College in 1947. She served as a second lieutenant in the Women’s Medical Specialist Corps and worked at a variety of military hospitals. Amy later earned her teaching credential and became an elementary school teacher in the Cypress School District beginning in 1967 and retiring in the 1984.

Amy is survived by her loving husband, Albert T. Naito; daughters Marina Naito of San Jose, Allison Naito of Huntington Beach, Noelle Pillsbury of Piedmont; son Neal A. Naito of Elkridge, MD; grandchildren Evan Shea of Washington D.C., Alec Pillsbury of Austin, TX, Colin Pillsbury of Piedmont, Justin Naito Bliss of Huntington Beach, Kenneth R.T. Naito of Elkridge, MD, Noelle M.T. Naito of Elkridge, MD; brother Warren Uchimoto of Saratoga, and sister Laura Nakanishi of Sunnyvale. Amy was preceded in death by her parents Zennosuke and Kane Uchimoto, and brother Dan Uchimoto. The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, and staff At Hoag Hospital Newport Beach for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Amy E. Naito:
Hoag Hospital at https://giving.hoag.org/donate_online
Or Sonora Elementary School, 966 Sonora Road, Costa Mesa, CA 92626