Obituary of Kay Kazuko Kurashima

Kay Kazuko Kurashima passed away on September 5, 2013 at her home in Santa Cruz, at the age of 87. Kay was born in October 15, 1925 in Hawaii, the daughter of Jumatsu and Rui Kagoshima. She was raised in Eleele, Kauai, attending Eleele Elementary School and Waimea High School in Kauai. She later attended the Fashion Institute in New York. Kay worked in retail sales in Honolulu, Indianapolis and later in Santa Cruz. In her spare time she enjoyed sewing, stamp collecting, collecting teddy bears and traveling back to the islands. She is survived by her daughter, Kim Carlson and her husband, Allen of San Ramon; son in law, Russell Ho of San Jose; sister, Mary Gifford of Chico; her five grandchildren, Sarah Ho, Jon Ho, Bryn Carlson, Marc Carlson and Mari Carlson; she is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Jon Kurashima in 2004; daughter, Jill Ho in 2009 and her sisters, Shigeko Ando and Shizue Someda. Private services will be held at the Makawao Veterans Cemetery in Maui where she will be laid to rest with her husband Jon. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to light a candle or express your condolences to Kay's family.