Our precious mother, Chiyoko Horiuchi Morita, 76, passed away September 25, 1997, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Salt Lake City.
Chiyo was born October 1, 1920 in Seattle and graduated from Franklin High School in 1938. Four years later, she was forced into the Minidoka internment camp in Idaho where she stayed for three years. Shortly after, she moved to Salt Lake City where she became a secretary for Farm Bureau Insurance. She retired after working more than 20 years as a secretary at Ryder P.I.E. She met her beloved husband, Tom Morita, and they married on June 23, 1949. They were inseparable until his passing in 1996. Chiyo was a generous, giving person who devoted much of her life to civic organizations including the Intermountain District Council of the Japanese American Citizens League and American Businesswoman's Association. Most recently, she was the treasurer of the Nikkei Widowed Person's Services of the American Association of Retired Persons.She was a vibrant, active person - an avid golfer and jogger who also did aerobics weekly. She bowled in two leagues and played bridge every Wednesday. Until a few years ago, she skied regularly at Park City. Chiyo will fondly be remembered for her strength, courage and strong compassion for her husband, family and dear friends. Following the passing of her husband, Tom, she drew even more strength and independence from her caring friends and family. We will miss her infectious laugh and wry sense of humor but take comfort in knowing that she is with her precious husband.
She is survived by her daughter, Renee; son-in-law, J. Angus Edwards; brothers, Masaru and Tsutomu Horiuchi; five nieces and four nephews.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 30, 1997 at 11 a.m. at the Japanese Church of Christ, 268 W. 100 S. Friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. A reception will be held after the services. Inurnment at Memorial Estates, 3115 E. 7800 S.
In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to: Japanese Church of Christ Agape, 268 W. 100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84101, or to AARP's Nikkei Widowed Person's Services, P.O. Box 522423, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84152-2423.
"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."
T 9/28 N 9/29