Arlene Magara Watanabe's Obituary
Born Pasco, WA on 4/16/36 and passed at home on 8/4/13 in Kihei, Maui with family by her side.
“Kitty” grew up in Pasco, 3rd child of 5 born to Kahn and Chiyoko Minatoya. She always had a mind of her own, even through 2.5 years she and her family spent interned at Heart Mountain, WY during WW II, her spirit never changed. She was the most daring, forward thinking, hip and modern spirit of the family.
Arlene, a Class of ’54 at Pasco High, while attending nursing school began calling herself Kitty, but to family, her Japanese nickname is Machi. As an RN, she spent 9 years at Good Samaritan, Portland, OR. In 1978 she began her 27 yr career at Queens Medical Ctr as an OR nurse, then opened and helped develop the Endoscopy Dept. and ended her career as a head RN for the Neurosugical team before retiring in 2005.
Kitty Watanabe spent her life caring for others and giving back. She was a very special 3rd generation Japanese woman from an era of strong backboned and hard working women. She truly was one that made a difference and set a path for those who followed.
Kitty leaves behind a loving daughter and son in law: Diane (Watanabe) Pool and Tae Murphy, grandsons: Christopher Pool and Guy Watanabe, Jr, Kihei, Maui; daughter in law: Maria Watanabe, San Diego, CA; sisters: Jean Kozawa, Portland, OR and Brenda Kupfer (Mike), Kennewick, WA; aunt: Mary Munekiyo (104 yr), Kennewick, WA; adoring nieces and nephews, cousins, and very Special Friends: Robert and Magdalena Simon, Portland, OR
At the pearly gates are parents Kahn and Chiyoko Minatoya; son Guy Kahn Watanabe; brother Jerry Minatoya; sister Connie Minatoya Burnett; and her loving 9.5 yr companion, Honey Girl, King Charles Cavalier.
Service will be held at the Valley of the Temples in Kaneohe on Mon 8/26/13
11a-3p. Aloha attire, lunch to follow.
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