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CHIEKO OKAZAKI Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for CHIEKO OKAZAKI
Dave Banker
February 3, 2023
In the fall of 1951, I began 2nd grade at Uintah School. There was this "exchange" teacher from the then territory of Hawaii. I have no idea why I was so fortunate, but I spent the year with her and although I was far from a stellar student, I did come out of the year with a pretty good grasp of Aloha, which in retrospect was a very significant thing. With the possible exception of my parents and grandparents, she was clearly the best person in the whole world, and ya, I had a crush on her!
W. Steve Albrecht
August 1, 2022
Chieko Okazaki was one of the most amazing women I have ever met. She became my "mission mother" 6 months before my mission ended in Japan when the Japan South Mission was created in 1968. I was their first assistant before we even had a mission office and spent a considerable amount of time with her and her husband, Ed, my mission president. Both Chieko and Ed were two of the most organized people I have ever met. Chieko basically became my second mom. I learned a ton from her. She was ambitious, kind yet demanding, caring, had a super strong testimony, and was an amazing leader. I loved serving with her. Years after returning home, after President Okazaki had passed away, Sister Okazaki came to our home for dinner several times and continued to be a great example not only to me, but to my wife and children. She was the consummate teacher and leader. She cared about everyone and made everyone around her better. I will always love Sister Okazaki, my second mom.
Larry St. Clair
August 1, 2021
A great person and wonderful example! With love, Larry an Rieta St. Clair
David Wahlen
August 24, 2011
Ken and Bob and all the family. I had a knee replacemment surgery 2 days before the service, so i couldnt make it. Had i made it, the choir would not have sounded so good. I really love your family. I love your Mom and your Dad. I love you boys. I think you were ask to do a difficult thing at the time to leave your friends and home and come to Japan for three years, i always admired you for that and for sharing your parents thru that time. Your Mom always made me feel like i was the most important missionary to her. I am sure she made everyone feel that way. I am in awe of all she accomplished. Going forward , the only way some people will know her is thru her family. I am sure many people will know her from your examples. David Wahlen
Steve Albrecht
August 12, 2011
Ken and Bob,
I am sorry I couldn't be at the funeral. Right now I am serving as mission president in Tokyo. Your mom and dad made a huge difference in my life. You mom was always so grateful to come and visit our house and support us in all we do. I loved her like a mother. My mission experience with your parents changed everything for me. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time. What an amazing and graceful woman you have for a mother. (W. Steve Albrecht)
Tiffany Bloomquist
August 11, 2011
I am sad to hear of Chieko's passing, this world will greatly miss her. So glad she is with her beloved husband Ed again. She is definitely one of my hero's and I will always remember her. I was over the 25-35 singles at the University Institute (UofU) and had her come speak with us many times. I will never forget her talk on being "Single" it forever changed my life and perspective. She understood the single life and always made me feel so special and loved. What an example of a follower of Christ she was to all of us. How I loved her! My heart and prayers go out to her family at this time.
Susan Skinner
August 9, 2011
I love Chieko. I have sat at her feet & basked in her light. I will miss her but am happy for her to again be with Ed.
August 9, 2011
Ken and Bob,
I was so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. You may not remember me, but we were in the U. of U. 6th Ward back in the late 70's. You were my home teacher for awhile, Bob. I never met your mother, but have read her talks and books and felt her beautiful spirit through them. When she became involved with SVU, where my two sons have both been students, it seemed like a wonderful seal of approval for the school. Over the years, I have shamelessly mentioned knowing both of you as my sole connection to your mother. You both honored her and your father by being exemplary sons. My regards and sympathy to you and your families.
Christina Sorensen Duffy
Waldoboro, Maine
Randall Harmsen
August 8, 2011
Who would have guessed the blessings that occurred because of two adventuresome teachers that exchanged classes in Maui and Utah. Thank you for the wonderful memories of growing up with the Okazaki family. You always make us feel like family.
Gibbs family
August 8, 2011
There aren't words to describe the impact that "Sister Chieko" had on my family while I was growing up, even though we never met her (and had difficulty pronouncing her last name correctly.) We truly love her and we know that the world is poorer for losing her, but at the same time, is much better for having known her. I will always remember the day that she was released at General Conference, as she expressed her love for the Lord and his church. At the end of her talk, I turned to my teenaged sister, who was glowing with the light of Christ, to the point that she was sobbing. She managed to choke out the words "Sister Chieko is so cool." I echo those words. Your example and your books still make a difference in our lives. Aloha, Sister, and thank you.
Ron and Margaret Duncombe
August 8, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Alicia Angle Finley
August 8, 2011
Thank you to Sis. Okasaki's family for sharing her with so many for so many years. Your mom was my 1st grade teacher at Walnut Hills Elementary and touched my life then and continued to touch my life through her wisdom and inspiration. I always enjoyed our annual Christmas Card exchange. What a beautiful woman! May you have peace during this difficult time. ~Alicia Angle Finley
Rebecca Ott
August 8, 2011
At one of her BYU devotionals, Sister Okazaki mentioned something that I really needed to hear. I wrote her a thank you note and told her that she had touched my life in a degree that no one else could. When she received the note, she actually called me personally and asked if all was okay with me. She took the time to walk her talk.
Larry St. Clair
August 8, 2011
Dear Ken and Bob,
It is with great sorrow that I will not be able to attend your mother's funeral this Wednesday. I am attending a meeting in Wisconsin and will not return until late Wednesday evening. I will always have a deep feeling of love and appreciation for your parents. Their example of dedication to the Gospel and their remarkable leadership in the mission field has been a powerful influence in my life. Your father was an inspired leader and your mother always kind and gracious. They were truly an amazing team! Please accept my sincere condolences and love.
Sincerely,
Larry St. Clair
Missionary, June 1969 - June 1971
Japan Okinawa/Japan Central Mission
Marcia Oshita
August 8, 2011
My husband and I have sweet memories of Sister Chieko - luaus, ukulele sessions, singing Kanaka Wai Wai together, and talking long into the night. We were privileged to accompany her to several speaking assignments and always delighted in watching her charm the attendees. A favorite memory is of being with her on a charter boat to a feast and night show on an island near Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. The three of us were chatting and watching the beautiful scenery when we felt a young couple staring at us. Finally the couple approached, introduced themselves as newlyweds, and asked if Chieko was indeed the famous general authority and author of wonderful LDS books. She acknowledged she was and graciously spent the rest of the journey talking to them. The young couple were thrilled and awed and we basked in Chieko's humble celebrity. She was a true LDS rock star - recognized the world over by loving LDS fans. We shall miss her until we meet again. Aloha oe, Chieko. Marcia and Andy Oshita (Roseburg, OR)
Lauren
August 8, 2011
Thank you dear Okazaki family for sharing your mother and grandmother with the world. So many have been influenced for good by this incredible woman. I never had the honor of meeting Sister Chieko, but from childhood on she has touched my life, and my heart is saddened at her passing. She made all of us feel like her cherished friends - the love just radiated from her, and I am sure her passing leaves a gaping hole in the lives of her family. Please know that many of us around the world are thinking of you and remembering the many ways Chieko (synonomous with Cheerful!) impacted our outlook on life and the eternities. May God bless you at this time.
August 8, 2011
"Chieko changed my life for the best, she encouraged me to serve a full-time mission as well as taught me many of lifes most important lessons. She's the best friend anyone could ask for!"
-Elder Bricker (Cottonwood Heights, UT)
barbara rosenthal
August 8, 2011
A great inspiration. There is less light in this world with her gone.
August 8, 2011
In Feb. 2009, Chieko was invited to speak at a Womans Conference in St. Johns, Arizona. One of Chieko's favorite songs was, "Kanaka Wai Wai", a beautiful Hawaiian song. She contacted Andy and Marcia Oshita, who attended The Church College of Hawaii (CCH) to get some former CCH'er and others with Hawaiian connections to sing the song at the conference. It was beautiful. After the conference we had a little reunion at Jimmy and Jenny Heap's home and Chieko sang many songs and danced the hula so beautifully. My husband, Jerry Hekekia and Chieko sang Hawaiian Wedding Song which was just beautiful. We enjoyed the evening with her and she expressed her love of Hawaii and her testimony of the gospel. I have enjoyed her books and it was really a joy to spend the evening with her and other CCH'ers. She was truly a beautiful servant of our Heavenly Father. May our Heavenly Father bless her family at this time. Sandra Terry Hekekia and Jerry Hekekia Thatcher, Arizona
KAY LYNN WAKEFIELD
August 7, 2011
How I loved Chieko! She always "lit up the room," wherever she would go. Her smile was radiant and beautiful. Her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ helped me so much as I had the opportunity of associating with her while I served on the Primary General Board. Whenever she would see me in the Primary offices she would always, without fail, stop and visit with me for a time. I always loved running into her at Costco, too! We had some great times visiting in the aisles, discussing our great purchases - the "great deals" we would find.
At one point in my Board service she had some of her books in her office and the Board members were buying them, at a great price. Chieko heard that I hadn't purchased one and she knew we had just returned from a mission and were a bit strapped for money. Even at the great price, I hadn't bought one - yet. She came bringing me one of the books and had written a beautiful message to me. I still can feel the warmth of my heart as she handed me that book! What a beautiful gesture that was - and it said so much about Chieko. She was always so sensitive to other people and their needs. We hate to lose our dear friend but are happy that she and Ed are now together. We know she will be so much missed by her boys and their families, and by all of the rest of us who were influenced by her wonderful character.
With much love,
August 7, 2011
It is with great sorrow that I write this entry. Chieko and I worked together to promote literacy in elementary schools. I admired her and I enjoyed the time we worked together for a noble cause. Shelley Bennett (Cottonwood Heights, UT)
Matthew Sherlock
August 7, 2011
I loved Sister Okazaki's talk in April 1996 on Fruits of the Spirit. It is a talk that I will never forget. She will be missed.
Margaret Bricker
August 7, 2011
Chieko was truly an amazing person! We were blessed to know her at the twilight of her of life and although her body and mind were slower her wit and love for Christ were as powerful as ever. She has touched our lives deeply and the impression she has left will be eternal. Words can never express the gratitude we have for her and the amazing way she had of making others understand the love that God has for each of us individually. We truly felt that we were in the presence of the Almighty when we near her. We want to thank her family for sharing her with us and all who were able to know her while at the Coventry. She spoke of you often, loved you dearly and I am sure is happy to be reunited with the love of her life. We loved her dearly, will miss her deeply and will be forever changed as a result of knowing her. ~The Bricker family
August 7, 2011
Sister Chieko was a precious example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I was saddened to hear of her passing, but her light will always live on in our hearts and memories! I always enjoyed Sister Okasaki's heartfelt messages, in word and deed.
With much Love and Respect~
Heidi Martell
Kathleen Knight
August 7, 2011
To our precious "Saki Hockey"
With Love Forever and Ever from your Virginia Knight Family. God bless you dear one.
V. Dallas Merrell
August 7, 2011
Chieko was a precious friend who added energy and insight to my life. She is truly a celestial soul and valued participant in our Father's presence. I look forward to her association in the future.
V. Dallas Merrell
Beverly Hoppe
August 7, 2011
Aloha, dear Chieko. I treasure the time you unselfishly talked with me in your office at Relief Society headquarters when I sorely needed encouragement. It made all the difference in my life. I realize you made that critical difference in the lives of so many people, members and non-members of the Church alike, world-wide, whether or not they met you one-to-one. Your love for the Savior as well as your love for humankind touched all our lives. Mahalo nui loa, dear friend!
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