Toshi Hatanaka

She was born in northern Japan on September 12, 1927 to Seitaro Sato and Taki Kando. She had seven brothers and sisters. She moved to Tokyo during her twenties and came to visit Los Angeles, CA in her thirties. While here, she met and married Jack Hatanaka. They had two children, Julie and Alan and four grandchildren.

After raising her children, she was busy with gardening, flower arranging classes, Japanese karaoke and belonged to the Iwate immigrant group where she met others who came to the States and heard their stories of work and life.

She found and became involved with Orange County Christian Church for about thirty years. They have a Japanese speaking service that she regularly attended for many years. She enjoyed the group and their activities. She often participated in their dance classes and New Year’s celebrations, which was her favorite. She loved to help with the mochitsuki (mochi making).

She enjoyed talking and encouraging others in the church, making lifelong friendships. Her favorite hymn was “Come Thou Fount of Many Blessings” and “Amazing Grace.”

Toshi was a woman who did what she needed to do and enjoyed many interests. She did not brag and was self-effacing so did not often talk about her accomplishments. If you have any stories about her, we would love to hear them. Please write them down and send them to us. If they are in Japanese, we can get them translated.

Thank you for remembering and celebrating Toshi’s life with us.

A Funeral service will be held at Fairhaven Memorial Park Mortuary, located at 1702 Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana, CA, 92705, on April 5 ,2025, at 12:00 pm.