Sayoko Nakazono, 80, a Kagoshima-born Issei, passed away on September 9, 2026, in Monrovia, California. A memorial service in her honor will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at L.A. Holiness Church, 3660 S. Gramercy Pl., Los Angeles.

She is survived by her daughters, Sharon Ayame (Michael) Rubino and Christine Izumi (Christopher Durso) Shimizu Durso; her sister, Mihoko (Chinao) Nakazono of Japan; her niece and nephew, Naho (Seiji) Oba and Takuro Nakazono, both of Japan; as well as many other relatives in the U.S. and Japan.

Sayoko was a longtime accounting and tax professional and a lifelong learner. In retirement, she pursued many interests, including knitting and mahjong, and became certified in traditional kimono dressing. She will be remembered for her generosity, independence, and the many people she helped and mentored throughout her life.