Chiyoko - Niimi

Chiyoko Niimi was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She loved every person she came across and loved all creatures too. She was a social butterfly and loved to attend and throw parties. Some of her best memories were when she was able to babysit her grandchildren with her beloved husband Gerald Hiroshi Niimi. Chiyoko passed away at the Providence St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, CA on Sunday May 26th, 2024 after residing in Diamond Bar for 48 years.
Chiyoko was born on November 13th, 1937 in her family's home in Los Angeles, California. Her father's name was Takuo Togawa from Japan and her mother's name was Ada Tsuyako Togawa, born in Suisun, California. Chiyoko was born a blue baby so in order to help her survive, her father named her Chiyoko which means long life. During WWII, she was incarcerated along with her family and other Japanese-Americans in the concentration camp called Poston 1 in Arizona. Although she was young at the time, this experience affected her throughout her life. She was an advocate for peace
and she was strongly against discrimination. Later in life, because of her love for people, she earned her Masters in Counseling at Cal State Fullerton and became a school counselor. She helped many students with personal problems and also helped them to get into college.
Chiyoko enjoyed being with her friends. She joined a club called the Pandoras when she was in Jr. High School. She would meet with them all of the time and plan dances and parties with them. She remained friends with them the rest of her life. She met the love of her life, Gerald Hiroshi Niimi when she transferred from East L.A. College to UCLA. During her time at UCLA, she was a member of the Chi Alpha Delta Japanese Sorority and Nisei Bruin Club. Chiyoko and Gerald were eventually married on September 30th, 1962, and were married for over 50 years. They were inseparable the whole time. They lived together in Whittier in their first house when her children were born and in 1976 they moved to Diamond Bar, CA. They were known for holding many holiday parties including Thanksgiving, Tamale Parties, Christmas Dinner and Japanese New Year. Chiyoko would also cook for people to show her appreciation and to make people feel better when they were down.
Chiyoko is survived by her daughter, Shelly Niimi, her son, Allen Niimi, her daughter-in-law, Sara Niimi, her grandson, Ryan Niimi and her granddaughter, Dylan Niimi. Also surviving are her brother Fred Togawa, her sister-in-law Kazuko Togawa, her nephew, Michael Togawa, her sister, Edna Nagami, her niece, Kimberly Tan, her niece's husband, Adi Tan, their children, Adam and Alicia Tan, her niece Heather Nagami, her brother David Togawa, her nephew, Derek Mikuriya, her nephew's wife, Phyllis Mikuriya, their children Brandon and Lauren Mikuriya.
A public service will be held for Chiyoko on Saturday June 15th, 2024 at 11:00am
Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
815 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.