Kay Kiku Sweeney

Kay Kiku Sweeney passed away peacefully at home April 4, 2019 with her daughter by her side. She was 97.

Kay was born in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan to Mitsu Kofuku and Takehachi Takeshita. She was the first daughter of nine children. Kay graduated from high school in Kagoshima and went on to graduate from nursing school in 1942. She served with the Japanese Army in Java during WWII and later worked as nurse in an American Army hospital in Kokura, where she met her first husband.

Kay immigrated to the U.S. with her husband in 1955 where she gave birth to her daughter, Ruth. The couple initially moved to Oakland, and later to Portland where she obtained her U.S. citizenship in 1963. After her divorce, she raised her daughter and began a career here as a nurse.

In 1975 while teaching Japanese language classes, Kay met and married the love of her life, R. Joseph Sweeney, "Joe." After her marriage, she began a ship's chandler business, Takeshita Marine Supply. Retiring in 1987 with Joe, she enjoyed travel abroad and the fellowship of her church, Epworth Methodist. She also enjoyed participating in her Haiku club and wrote many poems, some published.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings; and husband. She is survived by her daughter, Ruth A. Hendricks.

Many thanks to Scott Newton and Sami Oeser and all the people of Mt. Hood Hospice who helped immensely.

Funeral arrangements made by Riverview Abbey Funeral Home.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 4, 2019, at Epworth Methodist Church. Interment was private for family.
Contributions may be made in memory of Kay to Ikoi No Kai, Japanese hot lunch program or Epworth Methodist Church.

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