Yoshiko “Yo” Sawasaki

Yoshiko Sawasaki (nee Osada), age 99, born in Sacramento, Calif. and resident of Monterey Park, passed away on January 16, 2021. She grew up in Suisun Valley, was sent to Gila River War Relocation Camp but was able to leave camp and move to Rochester, NY where she received her RN from St. Mary’s Hospital.
She worked in Labor and Delivery and retired from the L.A. County Health Dept as a public health nurse.

She was active in Maryknoll’s PTA and later in the Langley Senior Center in Monterey Park. As a recreational gambler, she enjoyed going to Laughlin and Las Vegas with her fellow seniors. Unfortunately, San Manuel Casino will miss her for her annual free birthday lunch, hat and cake, which would have been her 100th birthday. She was an avid L.A. Dodgers and Lakers fan and was thrilled to have witnessed their respective championships in 2020. Yo was lovingly generous with her time and support to family and friends. For those that knew her and she was a passenger in your car, she was the “human GPS” that knew all the shortcuts and ways to avoid traffic. She lived life to the fullest and had few regrets.

Predeceased by her husband, Roy and son, Mark (Melissa), she is survived by her children, Carol Foran, Paul (Wendy), and Linda; 8 grandchildren, Andrew, Elizabeth, Patrick, Matthew, Courtney, Amber, Troy and Kirin; and 3 great-grandchildren, Olivia, Ronin and Brooklyn; brother Willie (Louise) Osada; and many nieces and nephews.

A private family service was held on February 3. The family hopes to hold a “Celebration of Life” when pandemic restrictions are lifted.

Donations in her memory may be made to your favorite charity or St. Francis Xavier Chapel Japanese Catholic Center (formerly known as Maryknoll), 222 S. Hewitt Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.