Services for the late Mrs. Chieko Matsuda Merz, a Pacoima, California-born Nisei resident of Chatsworth and former internee of Gila River Relocation Camp who passed away on May 24, 2012 will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2012, 11:00 AM at San Fernando Valley Honganji Buddhist Temple, 9450 Remick Ave., Pacoima, CA 91331, officiated by Rev. Patricia Usuki. The family respectfully requests that flowers and koden be omitted. Casual attire.

Preceeded in death by her dear husband, Jim. Survived by her sisters, Miyoko (Hiro) Eguchi, Nobuko (Bill) McCabe, Taeko (Richard) Kaili and Fumi (Nick) Sakellaris; brothers, Hisashi (Stella) Matsuda and Joe (Frances) Matsuda; also survived by many nieces and nephews, grand and great.

She left us grateful for the love of her family, the support of her friends and the kindness of strangers. The path less taken made all the difference.