Koko Nishi - Rafu Shimpo

Koko Nishi
October 31, 1921 – July 8, 2018

Koko was born in Seattle, WA on October 31, 1921 to parents, Kokichi and Tane Takeuchi of Kagoshima, and raised in Japan since the age of five. She returned to the U.S. upon her marriage to Kaizo Nishi and was a longtime resident of the Gardena/Torrance area. She passed away peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by family on July 8, 2018 in Gardena at the age of 96.

Koko is survived by her sons: Katsuya Kay (Lila) and Dr. Hiroyuki (Debra) Nishi; daughters: Nobuko (Tom) Okada and Sumiko Kato (Arnold) Grant; eight grandchildren: Dr. Kai Nishi (Keri), Dr. Koko Nishi (Patrick Lee), Yoshio Okada (Dr. Jackie), Midori Lammel (Stefan), Denise Kato, Tsujio Dean Kato, Kenji Kato, and Akemi Gramenz (Jonathan); ten great-grandchildren, her three sisters, two brothers and cousins in Japan, and many other relatives here.

She was very active in the Gardena Buddhist Church where she taught Urasenke tea ceremony for over 20 years. She was a wonderful cook and loved to see her family enjoy her meals. She would often be the last person to sit down to eat. She will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 11:30am at the Gardena Buddhist Church, 1517 W. 166th St., Gardena, under the direction of Fukui Mortuary. Reception immediately following the service.