Chiyoe Oki - Rafu Shimpo

Chiyoe Oki
1925 – 2021

Chiyoe “Joy” Oki, 95 years old, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Nikkei Senior Gardens.

She was a Los Angeles-born Nisei who attended high school in Japan. After WWII, she returned home and pursued a degree in pharmacy from USC. She co-founded Sigma Phi Omega in 1949, the oldest Asian American sorority at USC. In 1956, she married Masao Oki, and they raised three children together in Gardena. She worked for 40 years as a retail pharmacist.

Her favorite pastimes were karaoke singing, ballroom dancing, ikebana and beading.

Chiyoe was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Masao Oki and brother, Keiji Yata (who passed a few hours before her). She is survived by two sons, Steven Oki (Ana) and Dr. Brian Oki and daughter,
Dr. Lisa Oki (Dr. Jonathan Kurohara); three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A private family service was held on February 13, 2021.