June Tomoko Kawaharada

June Tomoko Kawaharada was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She passed away peacefully at Sunrise of San Marino Senior Living on February 1, 2021, at the age of 83.

She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the youngest of twelve children. After graduating from high school and secretarial school, she moved to the Mainland. She then traveled the East Coast and Canada with her sister’s family and then settled in Los Angeles where she met her husband, Allan. Together they raised their three children, Kim, Jill, and Jon, in Monterey Park, CA.

When her children were young, June was a stay-at-home mom. She loved taking cooking classes and spending time in the kitchen creating delicious meals for her family. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, reading, and crossword puzzles. When her children became older, she worked for the LA Unified School District for over twenty years.

June loved to travel with her family. First in a hand-crafted converted van, then in an RV. In retirement, her road travels took her throughout the entire United States and all of Canada. While traveling, she enjoyed finding the perfect gifts for her family and friends at home, but especially for her grandchildren.

June was a wonderful mother and an even more fun grandmother. Her family was her greatest joy.

She leaves behind her husband of 58 years, Allan, her children, Kim (Paige), Jill, Jon (Yukiko), her grandchildren, Christopher, Jonathan (Vicki), Ryanne, Grant, Troy, Madison, Kamryn, Dylan, and great-granddaughter, Lindy. She also leaves behind four sisters, Alice, Vilma, Lila, and Betsy, and many nieces, nephews, and their children. She will be remembered for her sweet smile and her kind and generous nature.

Due to Covid restrictions, a small private funeral service was held at Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple at Wisteria Place on February 20, 2021.