Betty Akiko Abe

1928 - 2016

Betty was born on December 3, 1928, in Florin, CA, to Kiyoshi and Sachi Shimizu, the sixth of nine children. Her family was sent to Tule Lake relocation center during WW II, where she graduated high school in 1945. After the war, while working for the Department of Motor Vehicles in Sacramento, she became good friends with Reiko Abe. Reiko introduced Betty to her older brother, Tadao. Betty and Tadao were married on April 2, 1949, and would have celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary next month. After her children were born, she never worked outside the home. She was very artistic and enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, making plastic canvas items, fishing, playing slot machines and babysitting the grandchildren (who called her Bachi). After an eleven year battle with Alzheimer's, Betty passed peacefully on March 4, 2016. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Minoru, Sam and John Shimizu; sisters, Junko Shimizu, Ruth Toriumi, and Evelyn Yamaguchi. Betty is survived by her loving husband, Tadao Ted Abe; children, Shirley (Wayne) Arao, Glenn (Taryn) Abe and Sharon (David) Tanigawa; grandchildren, Keiko (Francis) Abella, Kiyoshi (Stacey Rae) Arao, Britney and Brent Abe and Brandon and Kara Tanigawa; great granddaughters, Kendall Rae Arao and Sachiko Abella. She also leaves behind brothers, Frank and Tom (Rae) Shimizu, several in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Annalisha Taylor and Suzanne Mirov, who so wonderfully cared for Betty the last two years. A private service was held on March 12, 2016. Donations can be made to the charity of your choice.