Kiyomi (Kay) Kadomoto |
| Posted 2021-05-21 by mhenderson |
| Published in The Arizona Republic from May 13 to May 21, 2021 - Phoenix, Arizona - Phoenix - Kiyomi (Kay) Kadomoto reached 100 years of age on April 12, 2021, then passed away peacefully on May 6. She was born in Exeter, California but had lived in Arizona since she arrived here as a 4- year-old. After graduating from Glendale High School, Kiyomi attended Woodbury College in Los Angeles, majoring in Fashion Design. After one and a half years, she abruptly returned to Arizona due to the impending internment of the Japanese communities. In 1942, she married Thomas Kadomoto, who was serving in the U.S. Army and who she had first met at church. They had many great years together and had just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary when he passed away. She told us her happiest memories were of getting married to Tom and raising their children. Kiyomi worked for several different places during her life. She had her own travel agency in Glendale for several years. She worked at the Arizona Employment Service, and after that she was employed by one of the local country clubs as a secretary. Later, as wife of the Honorary Consul General of Japan, she was kept busy by entertaining the visiting wives of the Japanese dignitaries that her husband hosted. Her favorite subject in school was math and she was really good with numbers, often helping her husband or son with their private businesses. Kiyomi was an active member of the Arizona Buddhist Temple, serving as the president of their Women's Club at one time. She helped with making many, many tamales for fundraisers, as well as chicken teriyaki and other Japanese foods. She was an excellent cook, and enjoyed sharing her delicious dishes and recipes with others. She had an amazing knack for getting flavors just right! Kiyomi was a wonderful seamstress, sewed a lot of clothes for herself and her children. She also loved to crochet, paint, read, and play sudoku. Kiyomi is survived by her four children and their spouses, Eileen (Tom) Fukunaga, Nancy (Clyde) Matsui, Dan (Mary) Kadomoto, and Larry (Mary Jo) Kadomoto. She is also survived by her granddaughter Lisa (Matt) Klonowski, great granddaughter, Kiyomi Klonowski, and many nieces and nephews. A private service has already been held. |
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