Ayako Nakashima, 93, was born on January 13, 1929, in Salinas, California, and passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 29, 2022, in Pico Rivera, California.  Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends, all of whose lives were positively affected in a myriad of ways by this extraordinary woman.

Ayako's primary purpose in life was to shape, guide, and influence the lives of the young people who crossed her path, whether as a homemaker and mother of 6 children over the course of 20 years, or as an Early Education teacher who taught a variety of mommy and me/parenting, as well as preschool education, classes during the course of her 15-year academic career.

Her hobbies and interests included family, gardening (she had an amazing succulent collection), crocheting and knitting (many patchwork blankets and beanie caps were woven and donated to cancer patients), writing poetry, working on Sudoku and crossword puzzles, and reading a wide range of fiction and non-fiction novels (in particular, murder mysteries and biographies).

Ayako was predeceased by: her beloved husband, Yoneo Nakashima; her father, Busaburo Shintaku; her mother, Ayano Shintaku; her brothers, Takeso Shintaku and Minoru Shintaku; her step-brother, Carl Kazumura; and her step-sister, Kiyoko Kazumura.

Ayako is survived by: her 6 children (and their spouses) - sons, John Nakashima (Jody), Rick Nakashima (Bessie), David Nakashima (Judy), and Steven Nakashima (Mary Beth), and daughters, Kathy Schreiber (Dave) and Cyndy Witscher (Don); 19 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Ayako's funeral service will be held at 10am on June 18, 2022, at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Cherry Blossom Lawn, Gate 10, Rose Hills Drive, Whittier, and will be officiated by Bishop Ito from Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple.