Chieko Muto Butler

Chieko was born in Yokohama, Japan, the second child of Tomekichi Sakuma and Kiyoko Muto. Both of her parents died when she was eleven years old, leaving Chieko and her nine-year-old sister, Emiko, to live with relatives until their older brother, Takashi, became their guardian as a very young man. Chieko and Emiko were always grateful for Takashi’s commitment to keep their family together. They all survived World War II and the bombings that devastated Japan. In 1951, while working for the U.S. Army in Yokohama, Chieko met a young G.I. who had just returned from the Korean War. She married Louis Decena in 1953 and their first son, Peter was born in Yokohama in 1954. For the next decade, she lived the life of an Army wife, making homes and friends throughout the world. Paul was born in 1957 at Fort Ord (Monterey), California and Mark was born in 1958 at Fort Clayton, Panama Canal Zone. In 1965, while stationed back in Japan, the marriage dissolved and Chieko was faced with the difficult decision of where to raise her sons. She decided to move to Fremont, California where she found a job at Fairchild Semiconductor and purchased a modest home. Life was not easy for a single mother raising three boys in the 1960’s, but Chieko managed to create a good life for her family. She was an incredible cook, a wonderful seamstress, and a creative artist who filled her home with beautiful objects. Above all, Chieko was a dedicated and nurturing parent whose mission was to ensure her sons had happy and secure childhoods and the opportunity to attend college.

Chieko met James Butler in 1967 and they were married in 1977. Chieko retired from Fairchild after 20 years and they moved to San Jose. Jim continued working in the technology field while Chieko maintained a welcoming home, enjoyed her wide circle of friends, making crafts and playing pinochle. Chieko was an incurable dog-lover and always had at least one dog upon whom she lavished much love and dog treats. In 1986, Chieko assumed a new role as Mama Chieko when her first grandchild, Ashley, was born. She eventually became a doting grandmother to seven grandchildren who shared her love and affection (but not the dog-treats). Jim passed in 2008 and Chieko continued to live in her Berryessa home until 2016 when she moved in with her son, Paul and his wife, Patti.

Chieko was a strong and amazing woman who overcame many adversities in her life but never let them extinguish her simple joy of living. She was fiercely protective of her sons, but set standards that have served them well in their own lives. Chieko is survived by her sons: Peter (Connie), Paul (Patti) and Mark (Liz); her grandchildren: Ashley, Joshua (Tiffany), Lucas; Maggie, Nathan, Paige and Natalie; her sister Emiko Kanaya and a host of nieces and nephews in Japan; and her dog, Taro, the world’s fattest and friendliest Yorkie.

A memorial service will be held Friday, September 14th at 2:30pm at the San Jose Buddhist Church, 640 North 5th Street, with a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Chieko’s name to the Humane Society Silicon Valley or any animal rescue charity of your choice.