Faye Aoyama, 97, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt, passed away peacefully at home on June 11, 2025. She was born on February 9, 1928, in Salem, Oregon, to Seiroku Kikuchi and Hiro Kasa. Her parents passed away when she was young, and she was adopted in Salt Lake by Ichinojo and Shige Shimazaki. They owned Elite Dry Cleaners, where she learned how to do laundry and iron. She graduated from South High School and married her high school sweetheart, Toraji Aoyama, in May 1949. They were together for 65 years before his passing in 2014.
She worked at Miniature Market for many years, making delicious King sandwiches.
She enjoyed fishing with her favorite partner and husband, Toraji — she may have caught the largest trout out of Tibble Fork. She loved working on puzzles in her free time and playing games on her Super Nintendo with her grandkids. She enjoyed watching her soap operas and yelling at the TV when characters did something she disagreed with. She loved Elvis Presley, Audie Murphy, and any cowboy or war movies. She also enjoyed gambling in Wendover and Las Vegas.
She is survived by her daughter, Linda Ryerson, and sons, Randy Aoyama (Laura) and Eddie Aoyama. Other survivors include four grandchildren, Brittany, Alex, Andy, and Austin.
The family is grateful and appreciative for the care Faye received from Hai Da Silva and the Certified Nursing Services Hospice team.
A celebration of life will be held for Faye on Tuesday, June 24th from 6-8 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City.
