Ikuko Mayeda

Ikuko Mayeda, 84, lost her 13-year battle to Alzheimer''s Disease Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010. Iku was born in Selma, Calif., and raised on her family''s farm in Laton, Calif. In 1941, because of Executive Order 9066, her family was relocated to the Fresno Assembly Center, and ultimately to Jerome, Ark. While at the relocation camp, she earned her high school diploma. After World War II, her family returned to Laton. Shortly after, Iku moved to Los Angeles, where she enrolled in a costume and design school and worked in a sewing factory. Additionally, she babysat for Hollywood actor Irene Tedrow and served as a Sunday School teacher at the LA Betsuin. Then in 1958, Iku met Katstuto "Jonny" Mayeda - they were married in Watsonville, Calif., in October 1958. They lived in San Luis Obispo and raised three sons. As a stay at home mom, she sewed for countless people in the San Luis Obispo community, including the design and sewing of wedding and bridesmaid dresses. For some people, she sewed entire wardrobes, including her own. Iku came from a family of ministers who served at several Buddhist Temples in Japan. She continued that heritage by fully embracing the Buddhist way of life. She was a Dharma school teacher, YBA leader, Fujinkai member/officer and helped organize a number of Buddhist retreats. During the periods when no minister was assigned at the San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple, she became the go-to person for all newcomers. Iku supported her children by attending all their sporting events and served for a number of years as a Cub Scout Den Mother. She also had a love for fishing, crabbing, abalone hunting and clamming in the local waters. Iku had an excellent singing voice and was influential in starting the neighborhood Christmas caroling group. She could play a number of musical instruments, including the violin and piano, and later in life taught herself to play guitar. Fluent in Japanese, she was often asked to act as a translator at local hospitals. Iku was more than a great wife and mother - she was a second mother, life counselor, spiritual guide and friend to many. Her infectious laugh was a reminder of life''s goodness. Iku is survived by her three sons Timothy of Ventura, Calif., James and Patrick of San Luis Obispo; brother, Mitsuo (Sumi); and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, K. Jon Mayeda; and two brothers Junji (Betty) and Fumio (Aki). A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, at San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple, 6996 Ontario Road in San Luis Obispo.