Emiko Amy Nakawaki, CA-born resident of San Pedro (previously Stanton, CA for 44 years), passed away at home at the age of 94 from a sudden heart attack on February 21, 2019. Her beloved dog, Wallye, was by her side.

Emiko grew up in Lawndale, CA with her parents and two brothers. With the start of WWII, they were relocated to the internment center in Rowrer, Arkansas. They returned to Los Angeles in 1946. Emiko married Dave Toshio Nakawaki in 1949. They moved to and raised their four children in Orange County, CA (Anaheim and Stanton, CA).

Predeceased in death by her beloved husband in 1985, she is survived by her four children:  son, Lloyd (Kyoko) Nakawaki; daughters: Sandra (Michael) Culligan; Nancy Nakawaki-Marron; and JoAnn (Paul) Thomas. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; her brother, Ted Terada; many nieces and nephews, and other relatives and dear friends.

A graveside service with Rev. Marvin Harada—Orange County Buddhist Church presiding, was held on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cypress, CA.

She will be missed deeply and remembered always for her kindness and thoughtfulness. She is also fondly remembered for her green thumb, good food, adventurous spirit, and her love of the penny slots. She was mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt, and friend—an amazing lady, a lady of great strength, one of a kind.