Kiyoko Matsubara passed away peacefully on October 31, 2020 at the age of 92 with her family by her side. Kiyoko was born on February 5, 1928, in Tacoma, Washington to Tora and Tadaichi Hiraike, where she lived her entire life until she and her family were interned to the Tule Lake Relocation Center
in Klamath Falls Basin in Northern California and eventually transferred to Heart Mountain War Relocation Center in Park County, Wyoming
during World War II. After the war, she relocated to Illinois where she graduated from Evanston Township High School and later found temporary housing in Loomis, California where she was joined with sisters, Lillian Kono and Reiko Uyeda. On February 20, 1954, Kiyoko married Jean Matsubara, the love of her life, and the two lived in San Francisco, California, before settling in San Bruno, California with their daughter, Kerri. Kiyoko leaves behind her loving husband of 66 years, Jean, and their devoted daughter, Kerri Nelson.
Kiyoko worked for the State of California at the Public Utilities Commission for 40 years until her retirement in the late ‘90s. Despite working full-time, she managed to attend college courses at night to further her career.
Kiyoko was a gentle soul, who never complained and always had kind words and a welcoming smile for everyone she met. An incredible cook, she enjoyed making meals for family and friends. She loved the opera, enjoyed musical theatre, getting her hair done at the salon, and was always impeccably dressed. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
The family would like to extend appreciation and gratitude to the entire staff at TLC Care Home in South San Francisco as well as the staff at Starglow Care Home in Sacramento, where Kiyoko received loving care and compassion for the last five years of her life. We would also like to thank the staff at Sutter Hospice Care Program.
A private family memorial service is pending; please check the funeral home website at www.harryanauman.com for updates. You may also contact the family for information about livestream of the ceremony.
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