Lillian Yaeko Kawabata

May 10, 1936 - Jan. 2, 2009

Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009 - 05:11:49 am MST

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Lillian Yaeko Kawabata (nee Onuma) passed away Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, at the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center in Sierra Vista, Ariz. Lillian was born May 10, 1936, in Hilo, Hawaii, one of 10 children of Yusaburo and Moto Onuma.

Her surviving siblings include Norman Onuma, Tom Onuma, Chiyoko Takenaka, Edith Nishino, Masayoshi Onuma, Patsy Nakamura and Gail Inoue.

Lillian graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1958 where she met and then married her husband of 50 years, Kaz. Lillian began volunteering at Bella Vista Elementary School and then was employed by the Sierra Vista School District as a teacher’s aide until her retirement in 2002.

Lillian Yaeko Kawabata

She was active in the Odyssey of the Mind program serving on the Arizona State Board of Directors and coaching many teams which excelled at the state level and competed at the World Finals throughout the United States. She is survived by her husband, Kazuto (Kaz); three children, Ken and Lily Kawabata, Lois and David Kelly, and Kurt and Janeen Kawabata; and three grandchildren, Evan Kawabata, Morgan Kelly, and Camille Kawabata. Her family, three sisters Edith, Patsy, Gail and brother Masa, as well as Edith’s husband Rodney Nishino were at her bedside when she passed away.

We give a special thank you to Peggy Bennett, Jacque Barwick, Stacey Taylor, Becky Babuca, Michelle Dalton and Pat Brown for their continuing love and compassion during this difficult time.

Thank you to the Odyssey of the Mind kids, her other family, for the joy they brought her every day.

A memorial service will be Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Hatfield Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers or cards, please make a donation to the Apache Middle School Odyssey of the Mind program in loving memory of Lillian Y. Kawabata. Arrangements by Hatfield Funeral Home.

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Judy Brangwin wrote on Jan 12, 2009 10:14 PM:

" My condolences to the family and friends of Lillian. I knew Lillian from my Bella Vista days. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. "

John Appelin wrote on Jan 10, 2009 8:19 AM:

" My condolences to the Kawabata family.

Mrs. Kawabata was always a smile of sunshine. I will always remember library time. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family , and to the wonderful Bella Vista team go Bobcats! "

Peggy Bennett wrote on Jan 9, 2009 12:32 PM:

" My condolence to the Kawabata family.
Lillian was my dearest friend and I will miss her daily. "

Team520 wrote on Jan 8, 2009 2:33 PM:

" My condolences......Mrs. Kawabta was my sub P.E. teacher at Bella Vista many years ago. She will be missed!!!! "

Grace Jose Mendez wrote on Jan 8, 2009 9:26 AM:

" Lois, please accept our condolences on the loss of your Mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Your friends, Grace & Jose Mendez. "