Akiko K. Baggs

1931 - 2025

Baggs, Akiko K. (nee Kato)

Oct 26, 1931 - Dec 4, 2025

Of Buffalo, NY, died after a full and meaningful life on Thursday, December 4, at McAuley Residence. Akiko was born in Tokyo, Japan, to a large Christian family. She was the youngest child of Shunpei and Toku Kato, and her name meant "autumn child" in English. In 1958, she moved to the United States with her late husband, Albert E. Baggs, whom she had met while he was stationed with the US Army in Japan. They settled in Buffalo, NY, where Al became a professor of history and Akiko became a soloist for Westminster Presbyterian Church. Throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, she also performed concerts for women's groups and at cultural events. During the 1990s, she began giving salon-style concerts for friends at her home, featuring selections from Russian, German, and French composers, and including favorite Japanese folksongs. After raising three children with Al, Akiko rediscovered her love of painting and also learned how to make pottery. In later years, she created various arts and crafts to raise money for Westminster's ENERGY tutoring program. Akiko was loved and will be deeply missed by her family: children George S. Baggs (Mary); Gwen Baggs Ito; and Elaine T. Holmquist (Christopher); and grandchildren Christopher Baggs (Ariel), Hanna Ito, and Jonathan and David Holmquist. A memorial service will be held at 4 PM on Wednesday, December 17, at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Flowers will be gratefully received, but the family also encourages anyone who wishes to make a memorial in Akiko's honor to consider instead a donation to Westminster's Friends of Music program. Arrangements by AMIGONE FUNERAL HOME INC. Please share condolences at www.AMIGONE.com.