Joyce Miyeko Morinaka Nakano
February 21, 1945 – May 20, 2019
Joyce Miyeko Morinaka Nakano of San Gabriel, California, formerly of Nyssa, Oregon, passed away on May 20, 2019. She was born in Cooley Hospital in Brigham City, Utah on February 21, 1945 and was the third daughter of Noble Morinaka and Cora Hori Morinaka. In 1950, her family relocated to Nyssa where her parents farmed for many years and where Joyce grew up.
Joyce attended Nyssa schools and graduated in 1963. She received a full scholarship to Pepperdine University, Malibu CA and continued her post-secondary education at Oregon State University and Cal State University, Los Angeles where she received her teaching credential and Masters Degree in Counseling.
Joyce became a substitute teacher in the El Rancho Unified School District, Pico Rivera, CA in the late ‘60s. In 1974 she became a full-time teacher at Macy Intermediate, Montebello CA, where she taught for 32 years until she retired in 2006. During that time she taught Night School and Summer School and also enjoyed working for many years with the Montebello Teachers Union, Guidance Center, MTA, CTA, NEA and Pregnant Minor Program.
Joyce is survived by her son, Lance Nakano and his wife, Anna, grandson Bryant and granddaughter Briana, as well as her sisters, Margaret “Margie” (Ted deceased) Sasai and Geraldine “Jerri” (George deceased) Takata, and her brother, Noble (Pat) Morinaka. She had many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great-grand nieces and nephews.
Joyce was an adored grandmother and true friend who always looked forward to the latest news of her grandkids and the “adventures” of all those she loved. She touched many deeply and is greatly missed by
us all.
Please join us in celebrating Joyce’s life at 1:00 pm on June 7, 2019 at Rose Hills (SkyRose Chapel), 3888 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southern California Junior Golf Association (www.scgajunior.org).