Haruyo B. Saito's Obituary
Haruyo Betty Saito passed away on August 24, 2001, in Grass Valley, California. She was 84. Born on May 17, 1917 in Tracy, California, Betty was the eldest of five children. Sadly, at an early age, Betty lost both her parents. She was very fortunate to be adopted by a very kind, and loving Japanese family, the Tsuyuki's. Betty spent her childhood in Mission San Jose, where she attended school. She later moved to San Leandro and met her husband, Tom Saito. She worked along side her husband farming tomatoes, then later at a carnation nursery. She then went to work for H.C. Capwells, where she retired. In her retirement, she volunteered much of her time to Issei Terrace, a senior citizen retirement center in Hayward. She was known by all to have boundless energy and enthusiasm for life. Always on the move, Betty enjoyed traveling to see her family – in Japan, Michigan, Ohio, and Florida. She also enjoyed learning the art of Japanese dance, listening to Japanese popular music, gardening, playing cards with friends, and quick trips to Reno while her visiting her daughter in Grass Valley’ Betty was a member of the Japanese American Citizens League and the Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church. She leaves behind her loving husband of 63 years, Tom Masayuki Saito, her son, George Saito of Farmington, Michigan and his wife Jacqueline; her daughter, Sharon Thomsen and her husband Gary, of Grass Valley, California; and her daughter-in-law, Ann Saito of Hayward, California. She was preceded in death by her eldest son, David Saito, of Hayward, California. Betty also leaves her beloved grandchildren, David Saito of Florida; Darlene Saito of,Florida, Dana Tabriz! of Hollister, California; Michelle Lewis of Davis, California, Carrie Koehler of Hayward, California, and Larry Thomsen of Grass Valley, California. She was preceded in death by her eldest grand daughter, Deborah Saito, of Hayward, California. She will be dearly missed by her seven great-grandchildren: Tina, David Jr., Erica, Alex, Andy, Emily and Katharine. She was preceded in death by her brother, Mamoru Fukuma, and a sister, in Japan. She is survived by her sister, Shinayo Yoshit0mi of Anaheim, California, and her sister Sumi Kanai of New York Friends are invited to attend a memorial service Saturday September 81 2001 at 10:30 A.M. at Chapel of the Chimes memorial Park and Funeral Home 32992 Mission Blvd. in Hayward. Donations in her honor may be made to Hospice of the Foothills 12399 Nevada City Highway, Grass valley, CA 95945
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