My husband Jim Fox and I knew Kiku as a neighbor first, then as a friend and fellow advocate for the neighborhood and many good causes.  Kiku and I both belonged to Squire Park Community Council, League of Women Voters and various Democratic groups.  She also introduce us to weekend estate sales.  Jim and I also were often guests at her table in support of Saint Mary's Food Bank, Japanese American League, and Neighborhood House and shared tables in support of the League of Women Voters of Seattle King County.  She received an award from Casa Latina for her leadership in welcoming them to our neighborhood.  Her sharp sense of humor is also greatly missed. I will try to add photos later.

I knew Kiku from a very young age. She was my grandmother Elli's best friend. 

Kiku and I did many things together in my adolescent years. We went to plays and movies, explored museums, walked in parks, and enjoyed many a meal together. Every moment I spent with her was special. To say she was a a positive influence in my life is an understatement. Her friendship and love will always be cherished. 

Much love to her family and friends.

You are most certainly missed, Kiku, you will never be forgotten. 

Kiku always presented with positive spirit and a friendly hello which belied the passion she felt about issues and the strength of her opinion (which could be expressed with a well sharpened tongue when she wished).  I found her thoughtfulness (she always asked about my kids first) and sincere warmth a welcome relief in the world of activism and politics in which she maneuvered like the old hand that she was.   Committed to her causes and friends, she will be missed.  

Kiku was a long-time supporter of Neighborhood House for over 30 years. She served on the board on 3 separate occasions starting in 1992. Her advocacy and commitment to our communities supported the development of 2 LEED Gold Community Buildings in low-income communities and the expansion of services reaching over 15,000 people.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to her family, friends, and furry friends. Her generous heart and loving spirit will live on in our communities and be missed. 

I met Kiku when I joined Boeing, my first corporate position.  She took me under her wings and steered me wisely and comically through the politics of that company.  We became dear friends, and although we didn't stay connected in recent years, I will always think kindly of her generosity, humor, and very good taste!  Her obit really captured her personality and her many gifts.  Rest In Peace, sweet Kiku! 

I served on the board of the League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County with Kiku. She was a perfect light. I loved working - and playing - with this woman, and I'm so sad and rather jolted to hear the unexpected news of her passing. Seattle is definitely made poorer by the loss of this tireless, always-jolly and self-effacing "professional volunteer," as she called herself. Condolences to her family and everyone whose lives are affected by losing such a special woman. She was a character and simply irreplaceable. And thank you to the family who took in Lulu! 

So shocked and sorry to hear of Kiku's passing.  I worked at Boeing with Kiku for many years.  Kiku was a very special lady, very smart, hard working and always brought a beautiful smile to work. She was very generous with little gifts and I enjoyed hearing  about her cats, her shopping sprees and all of her outside activities supporting local charities and causes.  I still have many of her handmade greeting cards and a beautiful tablecloth that she gave me.  I hadn't seen Kiku since she retired but but still vividly remember her and all the fun conversations we shared over the years. Condolences to her dear family.
Rest in peace Kiku!

Kiku was my friend.
I walk through my house.....way out in ENUMCLAW...and see signs of her.... here-and-there!
How did I meet Kiku?    Through an adult-biking group!   
You might say.... OMG!!!  Kiku was not a biker, but, just a connection for us all.  So many of the 'bikers' were from Boeing, and Kiku, naturally, joined up in friendship whenever we socialized.
When Kiku and I learned of art/stamp.paper-crafting similar interests, we  immediately connected in friendship.
Yes, I learned so much from Kiku, but then I also joined her in "shopping mischief"...seeking out the perfect bargains in paper, stamps, inks, tools. She showed me prime shopping locations in North and West Seattle.  I showed her prime shopping locations each month in Tacoma and Olympia. We even ventured to Portland, and to Chelan in search of the pefect stamping bargin!  LOL!   Oh dear!
Each outing ended with LUNCH together.  

We were joined with shopping mischief with friend Carole Y.
When we discovered we had birthdays near each other, there was an instant bond for the 3 of us to "dine and celebrate" together each December.

I am honored to have received a card-communication from Kiku just days prior to her passing.  Her friendship was steady and her passions for community and those she met filled her heart.  I was always so amazed as she talked about those passions.
(Yes, I, too, am a kitty person....and that was another connection.)

My home is filled with remembrances....little gifts from Kiku, her cards to me, but also her inspiration and suggestions to help me grow to be a better paper artist.

I am so very pleased with her obituary description.  It was SPOT ON!!!  Wonderful tribute to a FRIEND that we will all remember.  We will take example from her lead.

You know the feeling you get when you need to reach out to someone but you keep putting it off. That is the feeling I will be left with because I didn’t reach out to Kiku when I had the opportunity.

I initially met Kiku at Boeing. She was coaching me on the different technical affiliations like NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers), SWE (Society of Women Engineers), SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers), etc, for a new position I had been promoted into at Boeing. We stayed in contact for several years and then Kiku informed me she was retiring. We would spend her spare time, she was always busy, going out to dinner and participating in cultural events. 

Kiku’s heart was big so she introduced me to and invited me to luncheons at her friend JoAnn Leech’s home. Kiku was always late and would leave early but while she was there she had us in stitches laughing. Jo Ann passed away in July 2020. Since I didn’t connect with Kiku in 2020, we never discussed our friends passing. These two women had hearts of gold. Gold may wear down but it is nonetheless still gold. 

I will miss Kiku but I’m sure Jo Ann and Kiku are keeping each other entertained. 

Kiku, you will be missed. i admired your energy for volunteering, your droll sense of humor, your love of good food and beautiful things. I treasure the unique cards you have sent me over the years. Rest in peace knowing your beloved kitty is well cared for.

Dear Family of Kiku,

Kiku and I came to Boeing at the same time in the mid-60s, and worked together for thirty-five years. Kiku, her boss Dave Nicholson  and I spent many hours preparing budget reports for our management, and though she could be a fussbudget, she always wanted her efforts to be flawless. I would tease her about hanging out at the old Red Robin when she lived next to it, but she would say that she had better things to do with her time. 
I am sure her family loved her, and be sure her Boeing Family felt the same. 

Reeling from the shock - this morning I poured OJ in a Waterford champagne flute that Kiku gifted me in 1974 for my 19th birthday. As a young lady, Kiku introduced me to Waterford crystal, fine bone china and Mont Blanc pens by gifting them to me. My very first cashmere scarf was a gift from her at Christmas 1973. I was 18 when I first met her in 1973, she opened a world of culture and sophistication for me. I am forever grateful.

I dropped Kiku off at her condo after our neighborhood Scrabble game on 9/10.  I waited, as I always do, for her to get inside the building.  I still can't believe I won't see her again; that I won't hear her voice on the phone saying "just a quickie" as she shared some information or finalized our plans for a movie or some other adventure.  I was trying to remember how I met her but I don't know.  She was part of the neighborhood and if you lived in Cherry Hill you knew Kiku.  We shared a love of the Democrats and cats.  She was a very talented stamp artist and I always cherished receiving one of her cards.  I even commissioned her to make some that I could mail to friends.  She was a wonderful neighbor, friend and person.  I'm very sad she's gone too soon and will miss her tremendously.  

Kiku and I served together on the board of the League of Women Voters, and we quickly became friends outside of volunteering since we shared a love of cats, politics and community engagement,  jewelry and other pretty things. She was just one of those special people who had an extra light about them—her sense of humor, her elegant taste, and her deep compassion shone through in everything she touched. I will miss her terribly, and my heart goes out to her family and everyone who was fortunate enough to cross her path. May her memory be a blessing to us all. ❤️

I served on the Seattle League of Women Voters board with Kiku. 
Kiku always offered ideas and shared her life experiences, which enriched every meeting she attended. I am saddened by her loss. A bright light has blinked out. 

I loved Kiku's feisty and passionate spirit in supporting things she felt were important.  Knowing my interest in history, she invited me to attend the preview on August 27 at Terry's Kitchen, of the JACL Historic banners that were produced to tell the story of JACL in our area.  I will value the memory of that enjoyable time together.  Sadly, I expected to be sharing more events in the near future.  Knowing Kiku's love for cats, I was viewing  a catalog with an ice cube tray, in the shape of kitty heads, since I knew she would get a kick out of having kitty ice cubes in her drink.  Wish I had the opportunity to give that to her.

Oh Dear God, My knees are weak, heart pounding. Kiku was my very dear friend and neighbor back in mid 1970's. She taught me how to cook a lot of Japanese specialities. We lived next door, every Saturday morning we took the #14 Summit bus down to Pike Place Market to shop for local goodies, buy fish and vegetables. Then ended the day with finger sandwiches and tea at Frederick & Nelson's Tea Room. That was my routine for over 5 years. I LOVE KIKU.

I have known dear KIKU for many years as she was very close to my sister, Lulu. She would come to the thrift store where I volunteer practically weekly and get great  joy from all her various treasures. I’d have to say she was one of the kindest and most generous people I have met in my lifetime.  

She left us far too early and will be missed by many. I feel blessed to have been able to spend time with her and she will always remain in my heart ❤️.

With deepest sympathy to her family and friends,
Nancy Clark


Kiku was a friend of mine at Boeing…..she was full of life, fun, and love.  I loved working with Kiku, she was direct and knew her job very well!  I admired her immensely.  Rest In Peace my friend!

Kari Rankins

For the past 20 years Kiku was my best friend. We enjoyed rubber stamping/making greeting cards, eating out, cooking, talking on the phone, sharing news, going to movies, attending community outings, perusing jewelry shows, and finding treasures at estate sales and thrift stores together. 

Kiku was a most loyal friend, showing friends how much she cared by staying in contact and spending quality time with them, making sure friendships were never forgotten during our busy lives, and she was someone who loved giving to others. She consistently helped me when I was in need, even at a moments notice. After my hip joint surgery she stayed with Alan until I got home and back on my feet. She did so a couple times also just to give me a break. And she and Alan got to watch their favorite cooking shows!

Because Kiku read all the time, her head held a large reservoir of many different subjects and she could easily carry on an intelligent conversation with just about anyone. I enjoyed listening to her talk about everything, from her democratic ideas, travel escapades, her clubs, to her love of cats. She was well versed in the issues in her community and government and fully supported those she believed could make a difference for the better. 

Kiku was a lovable quirky character, and  I loved her uncanny dry sense of humor most of all, she could make me break out laughing often so unexpectedly.  She saw the humor in everything. 

I loved Kiku. There will always be a void in my life without her in it. 

I was fortunate to get to know Kiku through service on the board of the Food Bank at St Mary’s over the past several years. We will miss her sense of humor, her smile, but most importantly, her dedication to the community. 

OBITUARY

Kikuye Hayashi

December 17, 1942 – September 13, 2021

Butterworth Funeral Home - Arthur A Wright Chapel & Queen Anne Columbarium

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