Donna Akiko Shimoda Nakashima

Donna Akiko Shimoda Nakashima began her earthly journey on October 19, 1937 in Pasadena, California. She was born to George Setsuo Shimoda and Hede Terazawa. Her earthly mission was completed on July 13, 2025.

Her childhood in California abruptly ended when her family was evacuated at the start of World War Il after Pearl Harbor was attacked. Through the perseverance of her mother, sponsors were found for each family member, allowing them to relocate to different locations in Utah and avoid being interred in an internment camp.

The family later moved to Salt Lake City where Donna attended elementary school, Jr. High and graduated from Granite High School. She attended college at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah where she earned her degree in Elementary Education.

For over 50 years, she worked for Granite School District, teaching Kindergarten through 2nd grade as well as being a Title I Specialist. She taught at schools across the valley where she met and maintained many close relationships with students, parents, and especially those she worked with. She retired two different times because she loved teaching so much!

She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held various callings throughout her life. She was an amazing cook and enjoyed flower arranging, traveling, going to movies and especially spending time with her family.

Donna was blessed and proud of her three children from her marriage to Edwin Nakashima; Jeffrey (Terri) Nakashima, Allyson (Steve) Yates, & Sheri Nakashima. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Christopher (Kristin) Henderson, Parker Henderson (Aimee Tran), Kenichi (Courtney) Nakashima, Akemi Nakashima, Keimon Henderson, Mihai Thornton, Auriella Thornton, Emiko Joy Nakashima and Kaito Nakashima. And her sisters, May Farr, Mary Jane (Bill) Siebenberg and Becky Shimoda along with other nieces and nephews.

She's having a joyous reunion with those who went before her, including her parents, Janet Beck and her husband Bruce Beck (sister & brother-in-law), Jani-lin Beck (niece) and James I Farr (brother-in-law) and many other aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of Donna's life will be held at Memorial Mountain View Mortuary located at 3115 Bengal Boulevard, Cottonwood Heights, on Thursday, July 17, 2025 with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and the services at 11:00 a.m. 

A link to the live feed of the services will be available on the mortuary website:

https://www.memorialutah.com/

Internment will immediately follow the services at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery.

We sincerely express our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the staff of Sunrise at Sandy for their love and exceptional care over the last five years.

Although she will be greatly missed, Donna's legacy will continue to live on in the hearts and lives of those she touched.