Ada Sayoko Kubo

Ada Sayoko was born on July 16, 1929 in San Diego, California, the youngest child of Sohichi and Misao Hosaka. She passed away peacefully from leukemia at her home on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. She attended elementary school in San Diego until her family was relocated during World War II to Internment Camps in Poston, Arizona and Crystal City, Texas for three years. After the war ended in 1945, the Hosaka family settled to farm in Reedley, California where she assisted in caring for her recently disabled mother until graduating from high school in 1947. She moved to San Francisco for a year to complete a dental assisting program and returned to Fresno to work for Dr. Sam Namba. Sayo married Dr. Sumio Kubo in November 1952 and accompanied him to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas the next year for his U.S. Army Officers Training for four months. She stayed with sister Aya and brother-in-law Noby Yamakoshi in Chicago for 6 months before joining Sumio in Orleans, France where they lived during his military service until March 1955. Known as Ada in the Kerman community where she spent 58 years on the Kubo farm, she was a busy homemaker and devoted mother of four, actively volunteering to support her children’s school and sports endeavors. She was also an attentive caregiver for Sumio’s parents until his mother passed away at age 94. Sayo and Sumio were able to enjoy several trips around the world with Mits and Sachi Mizutani of Anaheim, California, who they befriended while living in France. Sumio and Sayo have been active members of the Biola Community Organization and Fresno Buddhist Temple where they have shared many cherished friendships. Sayo was a proud, doting and beloved grandmother of four granddaughters and one grandson. Family and friends appreciated her delicious meals, lovely floral arrangements, beauty and gracious demeanor. Due to her declining health, a move to Fresno occurred in 2012. Remarkably, Sayo maintained her characteristically warm and grateful attitude throughout her weekly medical appointments, hospitalizations and procedures. Her loving, thoughtful nature enriched the lives of all who were fortunate to have met her.

She is survived by Sumio, her husband of 62 years; daughter Kathleen; sons Robert and his wife Stephanie, and James and his wife Jenny; grandchildren Alyson Kennon, Cole, Jacqueline, Makayla and Kylene Kubo; sister Aya Yamakoshi; nieces and nephews. Sayo was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Henry and George Hosaka; and son Howard.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Fresno Buddhist Family Dharma Center at 2690 E. Alluvial on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Fresno Buddhist Temple Building Fund, 1340 Kern Street, Fresno, CA 93706 or any other charity of choice.