Chiyo Kato

Chiyo Saito was born in Sunnyside Utah, on March 25, 1918. The Saito family moved from Utah, to Pueblo Colorado, to Salem Oregon in 1924, where Chiyo attended school and helped on the farm. She attended, Haysville grade school, Parish Jr High and graduated from Salem High School, as well as attending Willamette University for one year. On September 24, 1938 Chiyo married Henry Kato in the Portland Buddhist Church. They lived in Gresham Oregon for 58 years until Henry’s death in 1996.

During WWII, Chiyo, Henry and family were sent to Minidoka internment camp in Idaho. During the war, they were able to leave the camp to live and work at a sugar factory in Nyssa Oregon. They remained in Nyssa until the winter of 1946 when they returned to the Gresham farm.

Chiyo’s worked on the Kato farm until it was sold and then continued to work at a nursery, a nursing home, and with a hospital laundry service until retiring at age 66. She had many hobbies over the years including sewing, knitting, raising show chrysanthemums, painting in water color and oils, calligraphy, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, as well as bowling. She enjoyed being involved with her family too.

Chiyo is preceded in death by husband Henry Kato, and son Douglas Kato, and is survived by children Carl Kato (Hideko), Kathy Kato (Steve Burgess), and Curtis Kato, grandchildren Brian Kato, Denise Kato, Andrew Kato (Heather Heikkila), Amy Kato, Stephani Hern (Eric), Peter Burgess, Josh Burgess and great-grandchildren Blake Heikkila, Alexis Kato, Alex Hern, Katie Hern, and Sadie Burgess, as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ikoi no Kai (Japanese meal site), American Cancer Society or Ambleside Center at Gresham Senior Center.