Diane Sinkbeil Kajikuri

She was born in North Dakota and moved to Dayton, WA as a child when her father began work at the Green Giant plant. After graduating high school, she went on to study nursing at Deaconess Nursing School, later beginning her career as a registered nurse in North Carolina.

It was there she met Hisashi Kajikuri, a young doctor on a Fulbright Fellowship. They were married in 1959 and shared 65 years of marriage marked by love, service and adventure. Together, they lived in Japan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania, before settling on The Monterey Peninsula in 1966, where she remained until her passing.

A woman of intelligence and principle, she charted an extraordinary path both personally and professionally. She served on numerous local boards including The VNA, The Monterey Museum of Art, The Santa Catalina School Mothers’ Guild and many others. She was especially proud of her work in developing the Preservation Foundation for the Casa Abrego Club, as well as her role in organizing the creation of needlepoint kneelers for the altar at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

An accomplished entrepreneur, she co-owned The Needlework Studio, a local venture. She also taught needlework across the U.S. and Japan, generously sharing her talents and creativity with a wider audience.

In the 1990s, when her husband opened a private medical practice, she returned to her nursing roots — managing the office and supporting patient care for nearly three decades.

Outside of work, their home was a gathering place. Over the years, it welcomed family, friends and others who, at different moments in life, needed a place to rest, reconnect, or simply be. Whether for a shared meal or a longer stay, they offered quiet hospitality with warmth and generosity.

She loved to travel — whether exploring abroad or enjoying family vacations — but what she valued most was time spent with her loved ones. She took immense pride in her children and grandchildren, who survive her and carry forward her spirit. Along with them, she is survived by her brother and his family, and by countless friends and extended relatives whose lives she touched deeply

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, The Casa Preservation Foundation or to a charity of your choice that fosters learning.

Services will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 800 Cass St. in Monterey.