NAMBA, PATRICIA KIKUNO, 98, peacefully passed away at home on September 2, 2019. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Minoru Namba, and her devoted brothers Masateru, Yasuo, Katsumi, and Jitsuo. On October 20, 1920, Patricia was born to issei parents, Torazuchi (immigrated to USA 1907) and Shige Hashimoto who settled in Taishoku (Florin) and farmed 60 acres in Mayhew Brighton Judicial Township in Sacramento County. She graduated from Edward Kelly Elementary School, Sacramento High School and the Haz-More fashion and design school in San Francisco.

In 1942, Patricia then 22 years old, along with 120,000 innocent Japanese Americans, were tragically and unconstitutionally removed from their homes and incarcerated. Patricia’s destination, Poston Camp II, AZ, organized to build a productive community on desolate, barren land on an Indian Reservation along the Colorado River. Patricia contributed by using her skills to teach in the camp sewing school. In 1944, because military orders prohibited a return to the West Coast, she relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to live with a German-American family. In 1945, she married U.S. Army, Military Intelligence Service, Pacific Theatre soldier, Sgt Minoru Namba who was on emergency leave to reclaim his family’s farm prior to their release from Poston.

After resettlement in Sacramento, Minoru and Patricia bought a stately home at 718 P Street, now the site of a State of California building. Patricia started her home dressmaking business and went to work outside the home. After many years, she retired from the UCDMC Emergency Room.
Patricia is survived by her children Dr. Eileen Namba Otsuji (Ron), Richard Namba (Dr. Susan), Dr. Mike Namba; grandchildren Patrick Otsuji (Monica Torres), Reid Otsuji (Mimi), Dr. Jennifer Namba (Ken Liem); great-grandchildren Alisabeth, Kian, Esabel and Remy Otsuji, Connor and Cameron Liem; and many Hashimoto and Namba family relatives.