She was born to Torazo and Kiku Masumoto on October 20, 1941, in Nara, Japan. While living in Osaka, Japan with her two young children, working for Encyclopedia Britannica, she met her husband Martin Eshelman who was on tour as a violinist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. After a long-distance romance, corresponded over letters, she and her children moved to a new life in New York City where they resided together for nearly 50 years.
Kazuyo loved to travel and would always join Martin on world tours with the Philharmonic or visiting her daughter and grandchildren when they lived abroad. Being their 'Obachan' brought her great pride and joy, she truly loved them with all of her heart and vice versa. Kazuyo had a deep appreciation for experiencing other cultures especially through their food, art and flower arrangements.
Despite her travels, Kazuyo was most known in her building and around her neighborhood for her floral capabilities and talent for the Japanese art of ‘ikebana’. She was gracious and shared her art with those around her by brightening up not only her building’s lobby and sidewalk flower plots with seasonal blooms, but also those of neighboring buildings. After living in the same building for 50 years and as a board member of her building’s House Committee, she was not only an institutional friendly face, but someone who knew and cared about all her neighbors.
Kazuyo was also an illustrative and vivid storyteller; capturing the imagination of her children and then grandchildren with Japanese folklore and stories of her childhood growing up in post-war Japan. She was someone who despite all the hardships she had faced, was always able to find the beauty and joy in moments, and just like her stories and flowers, shared them with those around her.
She was preceded in death by her husband Martin Eshelman and son Tsuyoshi Eshelman, as well as son-in-law Ron Rawald. She is survived and remembered by her daughter Hiroko Rawald of Westport, CT; grandchildren Nicole Rawald, Kei Rawald, both of New York City, NY, and Alix Rawald, of Westport, CT; her brother Takao Masumoto and sister Fumiko Hata of Nara, Japan and two loving, fluffy cats, Kona and Tanuki.
Friends are invited to Kazuyo’s memorial service on Friday, January 21st from 2-4pm at Frank E. Campbell – The Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Ave, New York, NY.
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