Yoshie Kyhos

Aug. 28, 1933—Hawaii Dec. 14, 2012

Yoshie Kyhos passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Dec. 14, 2012, in her native Hawaii. She was a woman with an outward grace and creative nature that belied a core of inner strength. She called upon this strength to endure and prosper through the last years as she battled cancer.

Born on Aug. 28, 1933, in Pearl City, Hawaii, Yoshie lived an idyllic childhood on the big island. This life in paradise was abruptly interrupted by the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Her family was separated for a year and reunited at Crystal City, Texas, Internment Camp, where they would live for the remainder of the war. Yoshie earned her master’s degree in art education at UCLA.

She taught school in Moloka’i, Kaua’i and Culver City. It was at UCLA where she met her husband, Donald Kyhos. During their 51 year marriage Don worked as a professor of botany in Davis and together Don and Yoshie raised their three daughters in Davis.

Yoshie dedicated herself first to her family while she continued to pursue many creative interests including calligraphy, clay, watercolor, silk painting, taiko drumming and flower arranging. Her house was never without a beautiful flower arrangement often done with simple flowers grown by Don in their own yard.

In 1983 the life she built for herself in Davis was interrupted as she was forced to call upon her strength to survive after a devastating car accident. After three months of hospitalization, Yoshie was determined to recover and live a full life. This led her to the Davis Aquatic Masters program which she joined with enthusiasm. The 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. swim practices became a blessing in her life as she regained her physical strength, health and then made many wonderful friends.

She taught calligraphy and started an art program at the convalescent hospitals in Davis. She was a member of the artist’s cooperative, The Artery, selling her art work, as well as working as their assistant manager. She helped her daughters raise their own children, baby-sitting her grandchildren for many hours while her daughters worked. She was a devoted daughter, returning to Hawaii many times to care for her parents. She loved to travel and took trips to Japan, Hawaii, Europe, India, Alaska and Canada.

She often talked about how fortunate she was to have a healthy, loving husband and children, good sons-in-law and grandchildren who were treasured. She was grateful to her friends from swimming, The Artery, The Threshold Choir, UCLA and her women’s, gourmet and writing groups who provided her with great support and help during her illness. She was also grateful for the excellent care of Dr. Marci Snodgrass and Dr. Michael Rabow along with Yolo Hospice and Hospice of Hawaii.

A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento, 2401 Riverside Blvd., at the corner of Riverside and X Street. Donations in Yoshie’s memory may be made to Citizens Who Care.