Kiyoko Takai Kishi

April 15, 1920 - November 25, 2011

Kiyoko Kishi, 91, passed away peacefully at home in Austin, Texas on November 25, 2011. She was surrounded by her family for Thanksgiving where everyone could give thanks for the love and joy she provided in their lives. Kay was born in Hilo, Hawaii on April 15, 1920 to parents Kajiro and Chiyo Takai. Mrs Kiyoko Takai Kishi is the wife of George E Kishi (1919-1999), son of Dr Hachitaro Kishi and Mrs Moto Sakai Kishi, Issei pioneers of the Kishi Colony, Terry, Texas.

She was a child of the Islands where she grew up and was educated. She often recounted stories of island life before the post-World War II era. After the war, she journeyed to New York City to complete her education. There she met and married Texas native George E. Kishi, who was studying engineering at New York University. They began their married life in New York City but soon moved to Houston, Texas where they spent the next 52 years of their lives together. It is during that time that Kay and George enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan. Even in the last part of her life, she was always willing to travel anywhere with her family. Kay will be remembered as a loving and giving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, great aunt and friend. She will never be forgotten for her kind and loving nature, gentle smile, and joy of life.

She is survived by her daughters Aileen Kishi and Susan Davis; sons-in-laws W.G.VanHemert and Mark Davis; granddaughter Kiyoko Davis; grandson Whitney Davis and fiancé Andi; brother Shigeo Takai; brother-in-law Howard Yuen; and numerous nephews and nieces. Kay was preceded in death by her parents Kajiro and Chiyo Takai; husband George E. Kishi; sisters Rose Matsuura, Mumi Iwamoto, Sachi Yuen; brothers-in-laws Norman and James Kishi, Henry Masuda, Fred Matsuura, George Iwamoto, Richard Saito; sisters-in-laws Fumi Masuda, Ai Saito, Dorothy and Louise Kishi.

The family would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to Drs. Jerry Fain, Mary Maxwell, Kirsten Warhoe, and Jane Nelson and the nurses and staff at Texas Oncology (Midtown) and Hospice Austin. The loving care and support that she received during her 11 year journey will not be forgotten.

Friends are cordially invited to a Memorial Gathering with the family from two o’clock until four o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 10th of December 2011, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, the family suggests donations be made to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, Texas, 78759.

The Kishi family invites you to find out more about the "History of The Kishi Colony of Texas" by going to this link:

http://hirasaki.net/Family_Stories/Kishi_Colony/Kishi.htm