Joyce Hata
Dec. 29, 1936 – Sept. 2, 2023

We are sad and humbled to share news about the peaceful passing of HATA, JOYCE on September 2, 2023.

Joyce Naoko Hata was born to Banzo and Chiyo Okada in Seattle, Washington. The family was incarcerated at the Minidoka Internment Camp during the War. Post camp, her family moved back to Seattle where she attended Garfield H.S. and earned her BS Nutrition Science from the University of Washington. Eventually she made her way south to Cedars Sinai in LA for her residency and then eventually was back in Northern California working at Highland hospital in Oakland and ultimately at Kaiser in San Francisco.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 58 years, Barney, daughters Akemi, Komi & Kristen, son-in-law Simon along with her 3 (favorite) grandchildren, Joji, Yuki and Jacky.

Despite studying and obtaining her degree in Nutrition Science, Joyce spent many of her working years in the office of the Japanese Bilingual Bicultural Program at various sites (Anza, Clarendon, DeAvila, Sunset) and it was there that she was truly in her element helping families navigate the SFUSD and fostering memorable elementary school experiences for hundreds of students. Via the JBBP, she made many great friends and was a pillar in the school community.

Others will remember her for hosting Oshogatsu celebrations for many years and while all the food was a highlight, it was specifically the chawanmushi that everyone remembers and still talks about today.

For us, her family, we’ll always remember her love of a good bargain, making a well-constructed to-do list, playing nickel & dime poker with good friends and how much she enjoyed gift-giving, especially to her grandkids.

Plans to host a celebration of life will be shared at a later date.