Mineko Kawaguchi
1932 – 2021
On February 1, 2021, our mom, Mineko Kawaguchi, passed away suddenly at the age of 88.
She was born in 1932 to Katsutaro and Hisa Fujinami, after they immigrated from Shizuoka-ken, Japan and moved to the United States. Sadly, when Pearl Harbor was bombed, she and her parents and one of her brothers, were sent to Manzanar, where they were interned for four years.
She is predeceased by her husband, Kohei Mike Kawaguchi. They were married in 1960 and made a life for themselves in Oxnard, CA, growing carnations. They shared a love for bowling and were in a Nisei League at the Wagon Wheel Bowl for many years. She played Sudoku, made origami hearts out of money, and she loved board games and jigsaw puzzles. She and Auntie Mitsi could sit for hours playing nickel slots. She made the best sukiyaki, chow mein and Korean chicken. She loved animals, but above all, she loved her family. She looked forward to all the big New Year’s family gatherings at Auntie Yoshiko’s house and the innumerable birthday and holiday celebrations at Steve and Cathy’s.
She is survived by her children, Joi Kawaguchi and Steven Kawaguchi (wife Cathy); and leaves behind three wonderful grandchildren: Nathan (wife Emily), Haylie and Heather. Her grandkids will remember her as resilient, supportive, tender and caring.
What an amazing legacy; what a beautiful life. We will always love and remember her.
A private burial ceremony will take place at Rose Hills Memorial Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with our Dad.
www.fukuimortuary.com (213) 626-0441