Kiyomi S. Villamil

Kiyomi Sato Villamil, age 90, of Annapolis, Maryland passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2025; beloved wife of Ernesto Villamil; devoted mother of Ernie Villamil and his wife Marie, Robert Villamil and his wife Susan, Josefina Patterson and her companion Neal and Christina Leitch; grandmother of six; great grandmother of two.

Kiyomi was born August 25, 1934 in Yokohama, Japan to Yoshitada Sato and her mother Sedako Takeyashi. The early years molded her indomitable character as her family struggled to survive the war. She attended a Catholic High School, which was rare for the time since very few Japanese were Catholic. It is there she studied English. Kiyomi graduated at the top of her class!

After the war she met her future husband Ernesto in Oppama, Japan at the Navy Exchange where she was working. Ernesto was happy to converse with her since she was able to speak English. He returned regularly just to talk to her and their affection for each other blossomed. They were soon married in a Catholic Church in September 1956 after Ernesto made Chief Petty Officer; then soon after had their first two children in Japan.

The family then transferred to the US mainland where they had their two daughters. The family finally settled in Annapolis, Maryland in 1967 where Kiyomi’s love of gardening, which she inherited from her father who was an avid horticulturalist; produced after years of work, a lush wonderland of terraced greenery. Kiyomi’s tireless spirit allowed her to excel in both, the fiber arts: crocheting, quilting and sewing along with the visual arts: sketching, drawing and painting mastering each form.

Her ability to make clothes for her four children provided the requisite skills needed to apply for a position of Lead Tailor at Woodward & Lothrop where she worked for 25 years. Kiyomi was also a curious explorer, visiting dozens of countries on every continent always learning and discovering; she loved traveling the world with Ernesto and her adult children. Kiyomi lived a full and enriched life, giving so much more than she ever took. We will miss her forever.

A visitation for Kiyomi will be held Sunday, August 24, 2025 from 2 to 4 pm at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur on her 91st birthday, Monday, August 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM in Saint John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 N Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401. Immediately following the Mass, a Celebration of Life will be held next door in The Atreeum at Soaring Timbers, 610 N Bestgate Road.

A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 10 am in Arlington National Cemetery 1 Memorial Avenue Fort Myer, Virginia 22211. (Please arrive at Administration building by 9:15 AM)