FUKUDA, NOBU passed away peacefully in San Francisco on October 23, 2021 at the age of 88 years. She leaves her son, Takashi Fukuda (wife, Ana de Arce) and her daughter, Dr. Yasuko Fukuda (husband, Peter Chuck) who love her with all their hearts. She is also survived by her sisters, Akiko Imagawa and her family in Shikoku, Japan and Hiroko Tottori and her family in Chiba, Japan.

Nobu was born in Zentsuji City, Japan and primarily raised in Shikoku. As a military officer, her father was stationed at various locations, prompting the family to move with him. In 1958, Nobu and her husband, Hiroshi, came to San Francisco, working for the semi-governmental agency called JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) to promote the use and sale of personal use knitting machines in the United States. They made the perfect team ? she taught knitting and Hiroshi could maintain and repair the machines if anything went amiss. Although their post in San Francisco was only intended to last two to three years, they subsequently stayed at the urging of students and opened their own business, the Apollo Knitting Studio which operated for over 40 years in San Francisco. Nobu taught knitting with a passion for the craft and loved to design and make special outfits that complimented each person. It is through this community that many special and enduring friendships were made.

After the Studio closed, dedicated students continued to come to Nobu for individual knitting lessons. Part instruction, part social occasion, these were cherished times that included sharing stories, eating good food, drinking tea, and indulging in sweets (which she offered with a twinkle in her eye saying ?Dozo ? please don’t hesitate?).? Even in her later years, the commitment to the craft and maintaining an eye for beauty, detail and precision never waned.? She continued to enjoy gatherings with family and friends around special events and impromptu get togethers where she would share stories and talk for hours.

Nobu loved to cook and create in the kitchen ? whether it was one of her special entrees, or just re-seasoning a dish to make it her own, you knew that it would taste yummy. She watched cooking shows for ideas for recipes. What she loved the most, was watching everyone around the table enjoying her delicious meals. And while we can only begin our journey to mastery of her New Year’s feast (Osechi-ryori), her graciousness and selfless nature will always be in our hearts.

A small private gathering is planned to honor Nobu. We are especially grateful for the care and kind attention she received from staff at California Pacific Medical Center and for the compassionate services at Coming Home Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Japanese Benevolent Society of CA (1765 Sutter Street, 2nd floor, SF, CA? 94115) and Kimochi, Inc. (1715 Buchanan Street, SF, CA 94115)