Beverly Fujiko Kikuchi

Beverly Fujiko Nakamoto Kikuchi was born in Seattle, WA on July 21, 1925 to Tozo and Ryo Nakamoto. She attended elementary and junior high school in Seattle, WA. Then after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese people on the West Coast of the United States were unceremoniously sent to “relocation camps”. Beverly was forced to move with her family to barracks in Minidoka, Idaho—a place she had never even heard of.

Schools were an afterthought in the camps. Beverly’s formal education suffered from the lack of continuity and she felt inferior intellectually for the rest of her life. Despite how she felt, Beverly was one of the smartest, most gifted thinkers, with analytical skills that rivaled the brightest minds in the world. She was a problem solver with a zest for information and an unquenchable curiosity about her surroundings. These qualities were passed lovingly to her four children, all of whom not only graduated from college, but also traveled the globe in search of answers.

One of Beverly’s sisters married a soldier in the famous all-Japanese unit, the 442. That fame was currency and allowed Beverly and her younger sister Charlotte to leave the camp, provided they could find work on the outside. That meant predatory employers had a desperate workforce willing to do almost anything. Beverly ended up processing turkeys in a cannery. She was only 17. Beverly met her future husband, Shigeo Kikuchi, at the cannery.

Despite her humble beginnings, Beverly wanted more. Always interested in design, she determined to attend Traphagen school of Design—in New York City. Although they were both still teenagers, she and her sister made their way to New York and found a tiny apartment across the street from Central Park. Going to school and working as a seamstress was hard but Beverly was determined.

When she turned 21, Beverly married Shigeo Kikuchi (Shig), who was ending a stint in the Army. Beverly and her fellow Niseis (2nd generation Japanese) weren’t allowed to sully the West Coast with their Asian presence. The young couple decided to settle in Utah. Also in Utah were Shig’s father Unzo and his niece Candy. Beverly welcomed both of them, most especially Candy, who would become one of her most ardent supporters. Eventually, they bought a small house on the West side of Salt Lake City. Three children were born—Chris, Sandra and Paul. The baby of the family, Tammy, was born in 1962.

Beverly worked in the factory for Mode O’ Day, a ladies’ clothing store. Membership in the International Ladies Garment Workers Union was mandatory. Yes, Bev was a Teamster. She was assigned to the most difficult job—sewing sleeves on blouses and dresses. At the end of each backbreaking day, she’d get off the bus, and trudge up the alley behind the house, only to see a hungry mob waiting to be fed.

Luckily, Beverly loved to cook and never complained about feeding a horde. No one would starve when she was around. Night after night, nutritious, delicious food appeared, as if by magic, conjured from a pantry that was usually bare. She was equally creative with everything. The girls had nice clothes made by Beverly, usually from fabric scraped from the factory floor.

Unfortunately, there was no extra money for frills like going to the movies or vacations that didn’t involve cramming 6 or 7 people into a car and embarking on a torturous trip to see Grandma in Seattle. The best part of those trips was munching on the snacks Beverly lovingly packed into wax paper bags. The kids never knew the family was desperately poor. Beverly was the only person on earth who could turn every rough spot into a huge and exciting adventure.

Her own big adventure started after Beverly retired and she took up bowling. She joined a league and actually became president of two leagues, gathering more fans along the way. Her hard work and efforts to ensure her leagues were properly managed and the bowling was enjoyed by all made Beverly an effective, caring, and respected leader. The teams ended each season with a bus trip to Wendover, NV. Beverly enjoyed those trips immensely, often nearly getting tennis elbow from the pre-electronic slot machines. Back in Utah, Beverly was a gifted card shark, and could best all comers well into her 90’s.

As if loving her family wasn’t enough, Beverly adopted a number of cats over the years. She lavished them with love, pets and, what else, food. She passed her feline affection to the kids, who have all had cats.

Beverly was the care-giver for her husband, Shig, for many years. His debilitating heart condition required a special diet, which Beverly prepared without fuss or complaint. This was not an easy task to fulfill as her generally cranky hubby had a tough time maintaining a pleasant demeanor, especially when he became very ill. Through it all, Beverly retained her calm, caring, devoted, and kind demeanor.

Beverly is survived by all of her children, Chris Dexter (Jim), Sandra Kikuchi. Paul Kikuchi (Leslie) and Tammy Nakamura (Cal), four beloved grandchildren—Nicholas Kislo, a chef in Southern California, Grace Nakamura, a registered nurse in Salt Lake City, Alex Kikuchi (Sana) and Isaac Kikuchi (Marie-Angela) and two darling, mischievous great-granddaughters, Amina and Inaya Kikuchi.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Abbington for their loving and caring attention. You became part of her family. Sincere thanks to Elaine and Hiro Iwasaki. They picked Beverly up every Sunday for church. Special recognition to Calvin Nakamura, Beverly’s son-in-law, who treated Beverly with the love and care he showed his own mother. Beverly’s niece, Candy Andrus, regarded Beverly as a second mother. Theirs was a particularly special bond and nothing was beyond consideration from Candy’s perspective when it came to Beverly’s well-being.

Beverly will be laid to rest next to her husband at Memorial Estates. A celebration of life is planned for this upcoming Spring, Beverly’s favorite season. Always in our hearts, Mom; we Love you, Rest in Peace.