Jane Kimi Sato

Born in Detroit in 1932, Jane Sato was the fourth of five children. Close in age to her brother, she was a tomboy as a child, climbing trees and running around with the neighborhood boys. She also loved music and could often be found with her ear glued to the family’s Victrola. Her carefree childhood days ended when the family moved to Tokyo, Japan, in the spring of 1941, because of anti-Japanese sentiment in the U.S.

During World War II, Jane and her classmates were sent to the country away from their families to protect them from the bombings. Food was scarce and sustenance included insects and weeds. When Jane’s mother was finally able to visit her, she took her back to Tokyo. Fortunately, the family survived the war and life finally improved. Jane attended St. Margaret’s Episcopal High School, where she was the pitcher of the high school girls’ softball team and was known for being a fast sprinter. She then attended Aoyama University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education and psychology. Her first job after graduation was store manager-secretary of the Tokyo Regional Area Locker Fund for the U.S. Army.

During her college years, Jane met Wade, who was stationed in Tokyo with the U.S. Army. They knew each other only a few months before Wade was sent back to the U.S. From 1954 to 1958, they corresponded by letter, telegram, and the occasional phone call, and were married in June 1958.

Jane was a full-time stay-at-home mother of two and homemaker for 15 years before taking a part-time job as a receptionist at a local hair salon. This re-entry into the paid workforce was followed by jobs at First Virginia Bank and Visa. She also served as a field interpreter for eight months for the construction of the Toyota manufacturing facility in Georgetown, KY. During retirement, she returned to being a part-time receptionist at a hair salon.

Always active, Jane enjoyed cooking, sewing, singing, and exercising. She was known for her creative sense of humor, fun-loving nature, kindness to others, and dedication to family and friends. In her later years, she met significant challenges by continuing to move forward, counting her blessings, and keeping her faith. As she once said, “I make my own happiness.” Her courage and strength, inspiring to friends and family, will always be remembered.

Jane is survived by her two children, Cheryl and Wayne, their spouses, Jon and Elizabeth, respectively, and five grandchildren, Kristin, Katie, Matthew, Adrienne, and Natalie.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Jane's memory.