Grace Masako Nomura Kono, age 99, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2026, in Torrance, California. She was born on March 1, 1927, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Tamesuke and Kumayo Nomura.

A lifelong daughter of Hawaii, Grace grew up in Kaimuki as one of seven children in the close-knit Nomura family. As a middle child, she was especially protective of her younger siblings, Robert and Patsy. The family helped operate a chicken farm, though Grace much preferred tending a garden to caring for livestock. Throughout her life, she found joy in growing tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, orchids, and plumeria.

Grace attended Farrington High School, business school, then began her career in federal civil service eventually dedicating 44 years to the U.S. Department of Defense in personnel management. Her career took her from Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu to assignments in Japan, Utah, and California, where she built a reputation for professionalism, dedication, and service.

On April 5, 1950, while living in Japan, Grace married the love of her life, James Masanori Kono, in Tokyo. Together they built a family centered on love, tradition, hard work, and unwavering support for one another.

To many, she was Mrs. Kono. To her siblings and closest friends, she was Grace or Gracie. To her children she was mom and mommy. To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she will always be Grandma Kono.

Grace lived through nearly a century of change with resilience, grace, and an unwavering sense of independence. She was steadfast, even-keeled, and fiercely devoted to the people she loved. As the matriarch of her family, she provided a steady foundation and a constant source of love, wisdom, and support for generations.

She was known for bringing joy wherever she went. During her career, she loved organizing themed office parties, often dressing in character and encouraging her coworkers to join in the fun. Her warmth, humor, and playful spirit brightened every room she entered.

Grace loved golf and especially enjoyed competing in tournaments with friends. She was also an avid card player and rarely passed up an opportunity for a game. Las Vegas held a special place in her heart, particularly the blackjack tables. Trips to Las Vegas became a cherished family tradition, and many fond memories were made at the California Hotel and Main Street Station. Grace was often the organizer, bringing together friends from church, her golf groups, and community organizations, carefully coordinating bus trips and adventures for everyone.

Food was one of Grace's greatest expressions of love. No one made bento boxes quite like hers, and no one could match the care she put into her sushi. Family and friends looked forward to her cooking, whether it was sushi rolls, Grandma Kono noodles, spaghetti, saimin, kalbi, musubi, or simply a shared meal around the table. She believed food was meant to be shared, and she made sure no one ever left hungry.

She also loved shopping and creating special memories with her children and grandchildren. From matching outfits and back-to-school shopping trips to family outings and vacations, these moments became treasured traditions. She especially loved taking her family to Hawaii, helping younger generations understand where they came from and strengthening their connection to family and heritage.

Grace was thoughtful in everything she did. She carefully chose Japanese names for each of her grandchildren, gifts that carried meaning, history, and love. Those names remain a lasting reminder of the connection she fostered between generations.

Grace is survived by her son, James (Ricky) Kono; daughters, Leilani Kono (Creed "Milt" Reasor), Barbara (Bobbie) DeMille, and Stacy Kono; grandson, Gregg Masanori DeMille (Sadie); granddaughters, Tasha Sachi Reasor and Serena Keiko Martinez (Nigel); and great-grandchildren, Cohen DeMille, Oliver Martinez, Sawyer DeMille, Louis Martinez, and Soli DeMille.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Masanori Kono; her parents, Tamesuke and Kumayo Nomura; sisters, Jane Shimamoto, Kaoru (Kay) Nomura, and Patsy Koba (Akira); brothers, Gilbert Nomura (Gladys), Fred Nomura, and Robert Nomura; sons-in-law, Randall (Randy) DeMille and Will Hamp; and nieces, Susan Cruzada, Ann Doo, and Mariko Tanno; nephew, Clyde Kimura.

Grace will be laid to rest beside her husband, James, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Her love, wisdom, laughter, generosity, and warm meals brought comfort and joy to generations of family and friends. She taught us the importance of family, tradition, resilience, and finding joy in life's simple pleasures. Her legacy lives on in every family gathering, every shared meal, every card game, every trip to Hawaii, and every story told around the table.

Her favorite pastime wasn't golf, cards, shopping, or even Las Vegas. It was family.

A life well lived. A heart well loved.