Hideko Itano, an 89-year-old Los Angeles born resident of Altadena, passed away on May 20, 2024.

We feel adrift without our mother, a bit lost and uncertain, missing her guiding light and lovely smile. She

was so kind, always radiating warmth and compassion. She was not only beautiful on the outside but

possessed a rare inner beauty that touched everyone she met. She is survived by her son, Alan Itano;

daughters, Christine Itano-Cosner (Chris Cosner) and Alison Itano (Gary Lee); grandchildren, Ryan

and Ian Cosner and Karina Lee; sister Mildred Wataji and many other relatives. Hideko Itano, went to

rest with her husband and sweetheart, Sadao; father Eizo; mother Umeno; and brothers, Jim and Henry.

Hideko was the first daughter of four children, born March 1935 in Los Angeles.

In 1942, during WWII, her family was uprooted to a transition site at Santa Anita racetrack stables where

they lived during the summer. She was seven. They were then transferred to Amache Japanese Internment

camp in Colorado. She spent three years living in a makeshift barrack, surrounded by

barbed wire and soldiers. The camp closed in 1945 and at the age of ten, due to her father and

mother's hard work and the generosity of friends, the family was able to return to their Los Angeles

home. They housed families that lost everything and helped them get back on their feet. Upon

graduating from high school in Los Angeles, she was accepted into the Chouinard Art Institute (CalArts) where she turned her artistic talents toward designing wedding dresses.

She won the heart of Sadao Itano when he asked her to run for JACL Nisei queen. They were married in

1959 and began raising a family. Hideko enjoyed basketball, designing fimo jewelry, bowling,

cake decorating, baking cookies, flower arranging, gardening, finding hidden treasures at thrift stores,

aqua aerobics, and one of her greatest joys was spending time with the grandkids. Sadao and Hideko

equally loved ballroom dancing, traveling to Las Vegas or on family cruises to dance the night away.

May she rest in peace in God's loving arms.

On Saturday, 13 July at 11AM, a Celebration of Life for Hideko and Sadao (July 31, 2020) will be held at the

First Presbyterian Church of Altadena, 2775 N. Lincoln Ave., Altadena, CA 91001.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Amache "Heart Mountain" National Monument.

Donations can be made directly on the website or through the mail.

Website: amache.org and press the donate button. Provide address and donation, "In memory of Mrs. Hideko Itano"
Mail: Amache Preservation Society, P.O. Box 259 Granada, Colorado, 81040