Masako Ota, 89, passed away peacefully on January 6 ^th , in Rancho Palos Verdes after a prolonged illness. She is survived by daughter Kathryn Hori, son-in-law Bryan Hori, her beloved granddaughter Patricia Sayuri Hori, sister Izumi (Ippei) Taki of Nagoya, Japan and many nieces and nephews both in the US and Japan.

Born in Jigozen, Hiroshima-Ken, Japan on December 17, 1929, Masako was a graduate of Hiroshima Jogakuin, the first private university in the prefecture of Hiroshima. Married in Japan to George S. Ota in September 1955, she immigrated to the US in 1956.

Masako was a devoted Jodo Shinshu Buddhist. She served proudly as a member, 5-time president, advisor and senior advisor of the Gardena Buddhist Women's Association.

In retirement, Masako and George drove across the US and flew around the world indulging their love of travel.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Gardena Buddhist Church, 1517 166 ^th St., Gardena, CA, 90247. Private burial will occur at a later date.