May Kikuchi, 87, passed away in Torrance on November 27, 2024, after a short illness. Although small in stature and soft-spoken, May was a force — her inner strength, patience and kind soul were felt and appreciated by her entire family. Born in Seattle, May moved to Misaki in the Ehime Prefecture of Japan as a child only to return to the U.S. at age 13. She married Yasuo Kikuchi in 1959 and together they were proud parents to three daughters — Nancy, Donna and June. The Kikuchis owned three businesses, and May performed many of the behind-the-scenes tasks that made them successful. She was a detailed bookkeeper, a fan of baseball and golf, and enjoyed taking long walks around her home in Torrance where she lived for 50 years. Her bright smile, twinkling eyes and sharp wit were shared most often with her family. In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, May was the cherished bachan to four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

May was preceded in death by Yasuo, her husband of 61 years, and her daughters Nancy and Donna. She is survived by daughter June (Lonnie) Akers; grandchildren Marissa and Alana Hernandez, and Jake and Janna Akers; great-grandchildren Cali, Isla and Mason; and many friends and family in the U.S. and Japan. Private services will be held in early January.