Lillian Sakaye Kimura

Lillian Sakaye Kimura, a 79-year-old, California-born, resident of Alhambra, passed away on February 17, 2021.

Lillian was born in East Los Angeles and shortly after her first birthday was relocated with her family to the Santa Anita Assembly Center, then to the Rohwer War Relocation Center in Arkansas, then finally to the Tule Lake Segregation Center before relocating to Japan.

In 1952, Lillian’s family returned to East Los Angeles where she became a Roosevelt High School Rough Rider. In college, Lillian met Mark Kimura whom she later married and had two children, Noreen and Eric. Lillian continued her studies at CSULA and earned her teaching credential, which began her teaching career at Mark Keppel High School. Later, she worked and earned a master’s degree in mathematics.

Ms. Kimura (Ms. K) was a respected and well-loved math teacher by students (go for 5), faculty, and staff alike at Mark Keppel, where she enjoyed teaching for 33 years and continued to tutor students even after her retirement. She made many lifelong friends during her tenure at MKHS with whom she enjoyed teaching, traveling around the world, going out for special dinners, or just going out for a hamburger.

Lillian touched many lives and left a positive and indelible impression on those she met. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and of course, her beloved dogs, Taro, Jiro, and Hanako.

She is survived by her children, Noreen (Richard Crother) and Eric Kimura; siblings, Donald (Eileen) Ogawa and Taka (John Schooler) Nakamura; nephews, Derek (Roya) Nakamura and Lance Nakamura; grandnephew, Luke Nakamura, and many wonderful friends and students.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations be made to the Lillian Kimura Memorial Scholarship through gofundme.com, organized by Patrick Luk.

Due to the pandemic, no services will be held at this time. When it is safe for loved ones to gather, a future Celebration of Life event will be scheduled.