Ayako Nishikawa Tohinaka
June 1, 1917 - December 21, 2011
Ayako Tohinaka, age 94, died peacefully in her sleep at her son Ray’s home in the early morning of Wednesday, December 21, 2011.
Ayako was born on June 1, 1917 in Redondo Beach, California, the daughter of Yayosuchi and Nobu Nishikawa. A longtime resident of Salt Lake City, Ayako was a beautiful seamstress and together with her husband, George Tohinaka, owned and operated Sage Farm Market until retirement. Ayako was active in the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple and the Buddhist Women’s Association.
She is survived by sons Ken, Carl, and Ray (Sallie); daughter Janice Jarrett; 10 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George; her daughter, Sue; daughters-in-law Shizuko and Shirley; and son-in-law, Dennis Jarrett.
Ayako, called Baachan by all who knew and loved her, will be greatly missed. Her gentle, kind, and accepting nature made her a joy to be near. She was avidly reading, knitting scarves, and watching the Game Show Channel until the day she died.
A private memorial service will take place on December 31, 2011 at the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple.
In lieu of flowers, Baachan requested that donations in her honor be made to the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple: 211 West 100 South, SLC, UT 84101. Website: slbuddhist.org
In Loving Memory
Dear Ray and Sallie, My thoughts are with you. Susan Sekeret
Susan Sekeret
SLC, Ut
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Isabelle
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Mrs. Tohinaka was revered as an exquisite seamstress by my family when I was growing up. My mother asked her to make several silk dresses for her for special occasions. I remember how elegant my mother looked and felt in her creations. Later, for my graduation from junior high, Mrs. Tohinaka designed a perfectly-fitted dress of white eyelet over a light blue lining. I felt so grown up in it. My most memorable dress was for my senior prom. I had seen a picture of a satin dress in Vogue magazine that was couture level. Somehow, from this one photograph, Mrs. Tohinaka was able to replicate the exact details and it fit me beautifully. I felt like a queen. After my college degree in tailoring, I have even more esteem for your mother's unsurpassed skill and esthetic sensitivity. Please accept my condolences on the passing of your exceptional, yet self-effacing, mother. It was an honor to know her.
Katherine E. Leech
Salt Lake City, UT
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Buffy
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