Ichino Irene Kawachi

Ichino Irene KAWACHI January 11, 1914 - February 7, 2010 Born in Fresno, CA, to Masaru and Ayeno Nakagawa, she died a resident of Seattle Keiro. She was educated in Japan and she returned when she was 16. She married George Yoshito Kawachi in 1931. The two started a greenhouse business in the Green Lake area and later moved the business to Renton and established the Floralcrest Greenhouse. It was very successful and was considered one of the largest greenhouse businesses in the Seattle area. The Kawachis were floriculturists and responsible for propagating new varieties such as the Mikkelpink poinsettia. Both of them were interned at the start of World War II at the Tule Lake Relocation Center. They left the confinement by moving to West Chicago, IL in 1943 to work for the Ball Seed Co. They were allowed to return to the Seattle area in the spring of 1945. Because the Floralcrest greenhouses were looked after by a very good friend, they restarted their business and lived in their own home. Irene loved sports and attended many Seahawks and Mariners games. Other hobbies included mushroom hunting, knitting, cooking, flower arranging, shopping, and playing bingo. She collected kokeshi dolls, Japanese ceramics, jewelry, and flower vases. She also had travelled thoughout Japan and Europe. A mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother, she was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Hank and Tom Nakagawa. Irene is survived by two brothers, Charles and Jack (Sachi) Nakagawa, both living in California. Other survivors are her daughter, Jean (Chris) Kato of Seattle, WA, son Gary Kawachi of Ocean Shores, WA and grandchildren Cindi (Rick) Yokoyama of Renton, WA, Kent (Bonita) Kato of Renton, WA, Diana (Steve) Celle of San Diego, CA, Rose (Lance) Gyotoku of Newcastle, WA, Kimmy Sargent of Kent, WA, Tod (Jenny) Kawachi of Napa, CA, and Jody (John) Becher of Aloha, OR. She is also survived by nine great-grand children and one great-great grandchild. Ichino was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Memorials may be made to Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church at 3001 24th Ave. S., Seattle, WA, 98144, or the Seattle Keiro at 1601 E. Yesler Way, Seattle, WA, 98122. Private memorial services were held in celebration of her life.