Mabel Fujiko Miyasaki

Mabel was born to Tasanji and Yoshi Shibao on March 6, 1925, in Brighton, Colorado, where she grew up helping on the family farm.

Mabel married Goro (Goon) Sakaguchi, and they had two children, Glenn and Gwendy. Later she married John Miyasaki, and they farmed in Lafayette, Colorado, until 1963 when they moved to Longmont, Colorado. John and Mabel had two daughters, Tammy and Meri.

After her recovery from breast cancer in 1974, also with encouragement from her dear friend Carrie Garrett, Mabel became very involved in supporting Niwot High School (NHS) sports and activities, which culminated in her recent induction into the Niwot High School Hall of Fame. At NHS, Mabel became known as the “Bubble Gum Lady.” She strongly encouraged (i.e. shamed) people to place donations in her green coffee can for the Niwot Booster Club. Mabel was an excellent cook and prepared meals for various organizations. She became the students’ favorite NHS lunchroom lady, where she started working in 1979. For some strange reason, the food at NHS began tasting blander after Mabel was forced to retire from the kitchen, in 1992, due to a knee injury.

Mabel’s other sports love was baseball, when the Colorado Rockies came to Denver in 1993, she quickly became their #1 fan and was a regular fixture behind home plate on Opening Days and at Spring Training games. She was known for her purple nail polish and hand sewn (by her) Rockies attire. Mabel also worked as a very popular lobby lady at McDonald’s, where she was employed for more than 20 years, retiring in 2014 as one of McDonalds’ oldest employees nationwide.

Mabel loved dogs and was an exceptional seamstress and fisherwoman. She never knew a stranger and was always quick to make friends, no matter the setting or circumstance. Her love of life was contagious, and she lit up any room she entered.

Due to Mabel’s progressing dementia, she moved to Cinnamon Park Assisted Living in Longmont in August 2018. Her family is forever grateful for the loving and compassionate care she received at Cinnamon Park.

Mabel loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who lovingly referred to her as “Gma.”

Mabel was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Harry, George, Tom, Hank, and Chuck Shibao; and son-in-law Keith Lykke.

She is survived by her four children, Glenn Miyasaki, Longmont; Gwendy Lykke, Gaithersburg, Maryland; Tammy (Jim) Golden, Longmont; and Meri (Paul) Campbell, Azle, Texas. She is further survived by her nine grandchildren, Jason Romey, Sara (Josh) Wright, Alison Miyasaki, Ted (Amber) Miyasaki, Niels Lykke (Sydney), Angela (Nic) Golden Henry, Melissa Golden, Kristina Lykke (Dane), and Heather Pollock. As well as her great-grandchildren JD and Sam Wright, Ellis and Calvin Miyasaki, and Veda Fujiko Golden Henry.

A celebration of Mabel’s life will occur later this year; details will be announced through Howe Mortuary’s website, please check back for updated information as it becomes available.

Contributions in memory of Mabel can be made c/o Cinnamon Park, 1335 Cinnamon Street, Longmont, Colorado, 80501.