Kimiko Asawa Devadas

Kimiko Asawa Devadas, 94, of Kensington, Maryland, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2024, surrounded by her loving family after a long illness.

Born on October 3, 1930, in Norwalk, California, to Japanese immigrants Umakichi and Haru Asawa, Kimiko (known affectionately as "Nancy" to her family) was the sixth of seven children. Her parents were truck farmers who cultivated seasonal crops including strawberries, carrots, green beans, and tomatoes. Among her cherished childhood memories was her time on the family's farm and walking through the fields to collect fresh milk from the neighboring dairy farm.

At age eight, Kimiko embarked on what was intended to be a brief journey to Japan to visit relatives. However, with the outbreak of World War II and the subsequent internment of Japanese Americans – including her parents and siblings – Kimiko was separated from her family and not allowed to return to the U.S. until 1946, marking a profound chapter in her early life.

Following her reunion with her family in California, Kimiko pursued her education at Fullerton High School and San Francisco State University, later earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Library Science from the University of California Los Angeles.

In the early 1950s, she courageously decided to venture eastward alone, a journey that took her from San Francisco to Denver and eventually to Philadelphia. There, she worked on a landmark air pollution study with scientists at the Franklin Institute and would meet her future husband, Rajan Devadas. The couple moved to Greenwich Village in New York City, where she worked at prestigious institutions, including the New York Public Library, the New School for Social Research, and St. Vincent's Hospital.

Kimiko and her husband ultimately made their home in Washington, DC, and, later, Rockville, Maryland. Her distinguished career included 46 years of service with the Library of Congress' Japanese Language Division and the D.C. Public Library, where she made lasting contributions to both institutions.

Kimiko's essence radiated through everything she did. Her extraordinary compassion manifested not in grand gestures but in countless genuine kindnesses throughout her lifetime. Her legendary garden was a reflection of her: a harmonious blend of Japanese cherry blossoms, peonies, hydrangeas, fragrant lilacs, and fruit trees that she tended with the same gentle care she showed to all people.

Together with her husband, she welcomed all into their home and around their dining table. Whether making the most delicate tempura and futomaki or complex South Indian dishes, her cooking told stories of family traditions, imbued with love, and shared.

Kimiko's gift wasn't simply making things grow or creating beautiful meals - it was her ability to nurture the very best in everything and everyone she encountered. Her legacy lives on in the gardens she planted, the recipes she shared, and most importantly, in her family and the countless lives she touched with her boundless grace.

She was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by her daughter, Mina Devadas; her sons: Arjun Devadas (Jennifer), Shyam Devadas, Asoka Devadas (Rose), Anand Devadas (Lisa), and Prem Devadas (Donna); her grandchildren: Matthew Devadas, Toshiro Devadas, Nat DeNigris, Anna Devadas, Jackson Devadas, Lily Devadas (Brock), and Ivy Devadas; and her sister, Janet Davis.

Respecting Kimiko's wishes, a private funeral was held. Condolences may be sent to the family at devadasfam@gmail.com. Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Kimiko's memory may be made to any of the following organizations:
Brookside Gardens (Wheaton, MD); Montgomery & Prince George's Hospice (Rockville, MD); University of Maryland Friends of the Library (College Park, MD).