WATSONVILLE — Yoshiye “Yo” Kaita died peacefully at home on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. She was 95.
She was born on July 11, 1921 in Fresno to Hikoichi and Yaeko Tara. Mrs. Kaita graduated from Selma High School in June 1940. During World War II in 1942, the family was interned in a relocation camp at Gila River, Ariz. where she worked as a teacher’s aide.
Mrs. Kaita was a member of the Watsonville Buddhist Temple and Watsonville-Santa Cruz Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed sewing, handicrafts, ikebana and bonsai.
Mrs. Kaita was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Kiyomi; her sisters, Chiyeko, Toshi (Tsudama), Fudge (Sasaki) and Emi Kaita; brothers/sister in-laws, Tokii/Chiyoko (Kaita) Fujii, Roy Kaita, Taira/Yaeko (Kaita) Fujimoto, Minoru/Minnie (Kaita) Tao, and Tom/Aya Kaita; children, Judy (Shig) Tokubo, Maxine (George) Nakamura, Elaine (Gino) Abad, Louise (Lyman) Lum, Barbara (Bob) Shingai, and Bruce (Jeri) Kaita; 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 19 at 11 a.m. at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, 423 Bridge St., Watsonville. Arrangements have been entrusted with Mehl’s Colonial Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Yoshiye Kaita’s memory may be made to the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, 423 Bridge St.; Watsonville, CA or Hospice of Santa Cruz County, 940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066.
