Helen Kaneshiro went to be with the Lord on September 26, 2020 at the age of 98.  She is survived by her husband Isamu "Ralph" Kaneshiro along with her children Faith/Alex Moy and Jonathan/Janet Kaneshiro.  She leaves behind five grandchildren (Timothy, Joshua, Jenna, Nicolas, and Samantha), sisters (Mary Sadahiro and Betty/Frank Hiji), brothers (Joe Ige, Frank/Gloria Ige, and Jimmy/Fumi Ige), and many nieces and nephews.

Helen, born to Tanichiro and Kama Ige, was raised on a farm near Compton, California on a farm five sisters and brothers.  She graduated from Compton High School in 1941 and shortly after was sent to the internment camp in Rohwer, Arkansas with her family.  She received a scholarship to Oklahoma Baptist University but never graduated since the war ended and her family needed help moving back to Los Angeles.  She worked at Sawtelle Baptist Church and developed a children's program for the Japanese Americans who were returning to the area.  Later, she did the same in Richmond, California.  She met and married Isamu "Ralph" Kaneshiro in 1960 after her return to Los Angeles -- he was the Grandview Baptist Church choir director while she was the church pianist.  They had two children, Faith and Jonathan.  Helen was creative and artistic; she always had a project to work on from knitting, oil painting, cake decorating, and more.  She enjoyed making gifts for family and friends and was also generous with those who were in need. Helen returned to work when Jonathan was in middle school and worked as an accounting clerk until she retired.  She was happy to see her family grow as her children married and with the addition of five grandchildren.  Helen treasured her moments with her grandchildren; she was lavish with her time and care in addition to the gifts she gave.  She also remained close to her siblings throughout the years and considered her sisters her best friends.  She was able to visit with her siblings virtually just weeks before she passed on.  She will be missed by many who she touched with her loving smile, the food she shared, or the gifts she made.

A private burial was held at Green Hills Memorial Cemetery on October 14th.  In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider donating to the Saddleback Church Food Pantry ( https://saddleback.com/give/add?v2glid=175&v2plid=501 ) or Victory Fellowship ( https://www.victorychurchsb.com/giving ).