Fumiko Sawamura, born in Los Angeles, Calif. on September 19, 1930, passed away peacefully in Brea, Calif. at the age of 93. She was the youngest of three children raised by Ichiroemon and Miyo Ushiyama, who had immigrated from Nagano Prefecture in Japan. Fumiko spent her formative years in the Boyle Heights neighborhood in Los Angeles. Following Executive Order 9066, the Ushiyama family was relocated to the Poston internment camp in Arizona until 1945. Upon the passing of the Renunciation Act, the Ushiyama family returned to the Boyle Heights neighborhood, where Fumiko graduated from Roosevelt High School. Fumiko continued her studies and graduated from California State University, Los Angeles. She worked for the L.A. Department of Water and Power and subsequently earned her teaching credential.
In 1959, she married Lucky Sawamura and began the delicate balance of work and raising a family. The Sawamura family moved to the West Los Angeles area in 1966 and began to set down roots in the local community. In 1970, she began teaching at Coliseum Street Elementary school as a first grade teacher. She would spend the next 30 years mentoring and introducing the foundations of education to hundreds of young minds. Fumiko was active in the United Methodist Women’s Circle at the WLA United Methodist Church as well as supporting Boy Scout Troop 39 and WLA Youth Club. On the weekends, she could be found walking the streets of Santa Monica with the L.A. Leggers in preparation for the L.A. Marathons. Over the years she completed over 15 L.A. Marathons. In addition, she loved traveling (including an ascent of Mt. Fuji) and spending time with her children and grandchildren. In 2009, Fumiko and Lucky moved to Brea, Calif. in Orange County to be closer to their family. They made a new group of friends at the Brea Senior Center and the Anaheim Free Methodist Church. Lucky, her husband of 61 years, passed away in May 2020. Fumiko lived out her remaining years in a wonderful board and care. May the Angels of Heaven escort her home to be reunited with her loved ones.
Fumiko is survived by her daughter, Carol; sons, Mark (Judy Tong) and John (Joanna); grandson, Jared; granddaughter, Kaela; sister, Sumiko; and her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, brother (Takao), and husband, Lucky. She will be interred at Rose Hills Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life for both Lucky and Fumiko Sawamura will be held at the WLA United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 11:30 a.m.