Chiyeko Kuwada Tamai

Chiyeko Kuwada Tamai passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at the age of 90. Born in Fukuyama-shi, Hiroshima-ken, Japan, Chiyeko was a resident of Metairie, Louisiana since 1960. She worked with her late husband of 32 years, Frank Tamai, at the family-owned carnival wholesale and Japanese food store, Oriental Merchandise Co., from 1960 until the closing of the business in 2008. The two were also founding members of the Japan Club of New Orleans and helped organize numerous Japanese cultural events in the New Orleans area during the 1970’s. Chiyeko is preceded in death by her husband, Frank F. Tamai; brother, Takushi Kuwada; and granddaughter Monica Umeki. She is survived by her daughter, Ramona Umeki (Masao Umeki); son, Stan Tamai (Linda O. Ramirez); sisters, Sachiko Okubo and Miyoko Ogawa; brothers, Mikio Kuwada and Yozo Kuwada; and grandchildren, Frank Tamai, Nicholas Tamai and Michael Umeki. Due to recent health concerns with COVID-19, services will be held at a later date.