Sayoko T. Otani

Sayoko Otani, a life-long resident of the Reedley area was born on April 20, 1927. She passed away on Friday October 31, 2014 at the age of 87 with her daughters and brother at her side. Sayo was the 7th of 8 children born to Kango and Fumi Togioka. She is survived by daughters Priscilla Kehoe, and Ellen Kato and her husband, Kelly, and her grandson Cameron. She is preceded in death by her husband Hideo; her brothers Hiroshi, Noboru, Joe and Ken; and sister Chizuyo Dobashi. She is survived by her eldest sister Tisato Kobayashi and her youngest brother Johnnie Togioka; sisters-in-law Ann Togioka, Maye Togioka, and Yuri Togioka, and many nephews, nieces, grand nephews and grand nieces.

She was a Japanese American Citizen who graduated High School at Parker Valley High School while interned at the Poston War Relocation Center located in Poston, Arizona, during WWII. After the war she returned to Reedley and married Hideo “Sarge” Otani. Together they raised their 2 daughters. She worked for Del Monte and the USDA at Sunmaid. She was an incredibly spirited, passionate Nisei despite facing serious health issues over many years. Her life pleasures were her family, gardening, sewing, baking & cooking, all of which she excelled at. She was an active member of the Reedley Buddhist Church, Reedley Buddhist Women’s Association and Reedley Nikkeijinkai & JACL. There will always be many fond memories shared by all members of the Otani and Togioka families, her many friends & co-workers and Church members.

The family wishes to express our thanks and gratitude to Palm Village and their staff for their compassionate care, kindness and support of Sayo and her family.

Visitation will be held on Thursday November 13, 2014, 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Dopkins Funeral Chapel located at 189 S. “J” Street, Dinuba, CA. Memorial Service to be held on Sunday November 16, 2014 at the Reedley Buddhist Church, 2035 15th St., Reedley, CA at 1:00 PM.