Florence M. Fujita

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University of Washington

Florence Fujita Obituary

Florence M. FUJITA February 2, 1920 ~ January 7, 2011 Born in Yakima, Washington, valedictorian at Yakima High School in 1937, Flo went on to Pomona and then the University of Washington, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1941. Like many, Flo was ordered to the camps in Oregon and Idaho in 1942. After the war (where she met her husband of 52 years), motherhood with its attending Boy Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, and PTA, as well as working at The Little School, kept her busy. She returned to the UW campus in 1968, working at the Burke Museum, Staff Employment, and KCTS/9, from which she retired in 1982. After retirement, Flo was active in the UW Retirement Association and the Burke Museum. Her pleasures in life were reading, cooking, travel, and Scrabble. Preceded in death by her husband, Harry, she is survived by her son, Byron (Margueritte) of Silverton, OR and her daughter, Kai, of Seattle. A celebration of Flo's life is planned for 1:00 pm, Saturday, March 26, 2011 at the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church (14724 1st Av NE, Shoreline WA 98155). Her quick wit and generous, thoughtful nature will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. Remembrances may be made to her church, the Burke Museum, Densho, Wing Luke Museum or your favorite charity. Since cooking was such a great pleasure to her, please send us your favorite recipe, to include in a memorial cookbook: Kai Fujita, 9545 Lakeshore Blvd NE, Seattle 98115; [email protected].

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times from Mar. 6 to Mar. 9, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Florence Fujita

12 Entries

Kazie Nakahara

March 16, 2011

Kai and Byron,

I was sad to hear of your Mom's passing from my Dad. I see by the obituary that she left this life on my 65th birthday. Kai, Dad told me that you and your Mom came to my Mom's memorial service last year. I wish I had had a chance to say how much we appreciated your coming.

I remember your Mom as a very warm and gracious lady. I am glad that our families were close as we were growing up. Do you remember the time you came to visit just as I was slipping out my bedroom window to run away?

Keep memories of your Mom (and Dad) close to your hearts to comfort you.

Love,

Jennifer Yanco

March 14, 2011

Flo Fujita--such a wise, good humored, and truly caring person! I always felt special when I was in her presence--she had a way about her that made me feel happy, opened my mind to new things, and made me reflect on my blessings. Flo had such a wide range of interests that I never failed to learn something when we met. And I am grateful to her, too, for raising such a wonderful daughter who has been my friend all these years.

Hope Green

March 11, 2011

I was lucky enough to work with Flo for six years at KCTS. Any time I worked with her, she made me brighter than I am. She would never have said so, or even thought so, but it was true. Typically, I learned that she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa only from her obituary. Thanksgiving dinners at her house are one of my very happiest memories form my years in Seattle. Kai brought Flo and Harry to our house in Vermont, years ago, and we had a wonderful time. Flo was wise, fun, loving, laser-bright, and honorable to the bone. I am honored to have known her.

Patti Parson

March 10, 2011

Flo was such a caring person - you felt her kindness in everything she said and did. She was supposed to keep us all in line, but she did it with a twinkle in her eye, a warm laugh, and an unassuming manner, so we didn’t even realize we were being organized into shape. She was like our mother at the station, and also our friend, and someone we never wanted to disappoint. Flo always has held a special place in my heart and memories, and I treasure that I got to see her after we both had left Channel 9, and even here in Denver – and regret that didn’t happen more often. I can only imagine the bunkhouse of warm memories that her children can carry forward. Long distance hugs to you Kai. Patti

Dick Hanratty

March 10, 2011

What a grand lady was Flo Fujita! Life at KCTS would have been much different and not as much fun without her. In 1977 when my wife was pregnant with our first daughter, she gave us a copy of Lennart Nilsson's book, "A Child Is Born" which we gave to that daughter when she became pregnant with our first grandson. Wherever Flo is, is better organized and more fun than it was before she got there...and I'll bet Harry saved her a seat up front.

Julie King

March 10, 2011

I had the opportunity of visiting with Flo a few times, and she was like a bouquet of daffodils on a gray rainy day.
Such rich memories she has given the world. Thank you Flo.

Michael Kirk

March 9, 2011

Kai, I'd like to express my sincere condolences to you and gratitude for the years I was fortunate enough to spend around your mom. Flo was a bright jewel and a warm, welcoming presence for me when I first left Idaho for the big city. Oh how I love to remember her energy and enthusiasm. I will miss her now that she's left the planet, but I will always remember her wonderful impact on me and my work, on KCTS, everyone she knew, all the places she was, and the special daughter she she gave the world.

Hollye Keister

March 8, 2011

Your mom was such an upbeat and charming lady. I feel privileged to have known and worked with her. She will be missed.

Marti Bickford

March 8, 2011

Kai and By: Flo was one of the most incredible people I have known and I will miss her greatly. She was such a wonderful friend and neighbor for so many years. I always loved her late night calls when she would say "oh, I saw your light on so I thought I would call". And then we would catch up on what had been going on for the next hour. She was kind, thoughtful and giving, always bringing over something she just made - sushi was always one of my favorites.
I was truly blessed to have known her.
MartiKai and By: Flo was one of the most incredible people I have known and I will miss her greatly. She was such a wonderful friend and neighbor for so many years. I always loved her late night calls when she would say "oh, I saw your light on so I thought I would call". And then we would catch up on what had been going on for the next hour. She was kind, thoughtful and giving, always bringing over something she just made - sushi was always one of my favorites.
I was truly blessed to have known her.
Marti

March 8, 2011

As my friend and neighbor for many years, Flo is greatly missed. She was on of the most vibrant and incredible people I have known and I have been gifted to have had her as a friend.
Marti Bickford, Seattle, WA

Katy Sharpe

March 8, 2011

Kai - my condolences for your loss. There is nothing that compares to the loss of your mother. It does sound as though she lived a full, rich life, so celebrate that, and all of the good memories. Hugs! Katy

Richie Meyer

March 8, 2011

Flo was my secretary when I was GM of KCTS/9. She brought maturity to the staff which was composed of mostly young people anxious to get ahead in TV. She kept me calm in a very charged environment. Flo knew the UW system and hepled me navigate the bureaucracy. I believe Flo was responsible in a large measure for the rise of Channel NIne as it became a leader in the PBS system. I couldn"t have made it the success it was without her. I will miss Flo.
Richie Meyer

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