She will always be remembered for crinkling her bright eyes with laughter and playfully slapping anyone close by to join her in her merriment.

Rose Kikuye Higashida, a longtime resident of Northridge, California, passed away on January 28, 2021, at the age of 91.

Rose, a loving wife, mom, mother-in-law and Nana, will always be remembered as a devoted member of the San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, for rolling the tightest spam musubi, bringing the best cucumber and cabbage tsukemono, making the most delicious pomegranate jelly and hoshigaki, always being there with a needle and thread to secure our loose buttons, baking the most mouth-watering chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin squares, constantly showing off the Spanish words she knew, being Costco's #1 customer, offering hand sanitizer every 5 minutes, and hamming it up for the cameras.

Always teasing and laughing, Rose had a zest for life and found joy and silliness in almost everything. Even towards the end, she was constantly trying to make her family laugh.

Rose will be greatly missed for her beautiful smile, flawless skin, perfectly manicured nails, greenest thumb specifically when nurturing orchids, sense of humor, and kind and vigorous spirit.

She is survived and forever loved by her husband, James Higashida; children, Kathy (Gerald) Kozai, Neil (Donna) Higashida, and Terri (Chuck) Amano; grandchildren, Kendall (Ross Psyhogios) and Kassidy Kozai, Bryan and Riki Higashida, and Cameron and Danny Amano; she is also survived by nieces, nephews and other loving relatives.

Due to COVID-restrictions, a service celebrating Rose's life will be held on a future date.