Kakumi McCarthy

Kakumi McCarthy, 81 Kakumi McCarthy, homemaker, aged 81, died peacefully in her sleep on February 18, 2015 at her home in Graham, WA after a long battle with illness, and just a few weeks after her 50th wedding anniversary. Kakumi , also known as “Kumi” or “Kumi-chan” to her friends and family, was born March 16, 1933 in Kamakura, Japan to Takaji and Tomi Kimura who preceeded her in death in 1962 and 1970, respectfully. She attended high school in Kamakura, Japan and had hoped one day to be a nurse but circumstances, prevented her from continuing her education. She lived in Kamakura though the hardships and dangers of World War II, eventually taught herself English and got a job as a waitress on a U.S. Navy base in Japan where she met her future husband. Kakumi married John Francis McCarthy on Jan 19, 1965 in the U. S. Embassy office in Japan. Because of the embassy rules, they were not even in the same room when they were married. As a military wife, she traveled and lived in many places including on or near military bases in Japan, Guam, California, Illinois and New Mexico where she made many friends before finally settling down in Graham, WA to raise her family. As a homemaker, she was adept at cooking, cleaning, sewing, mowing the yard, and keeping the family’s finances together, but also found time for taking cake decorating classes, volunteering as a room mother at her daughters’ schools, helping children with homework, baking special treats such as homemade cinnamon rolls, and enjoying many nights of Family Game Night. She also enjoyed gardening; feeding the birds, squirrels and other wildlife; and playing bingo and slots. She never learned to drive a car. In addition to her parents, Kakumi was preceeded in death by her sisters Kazume Miyazaki (2011, at age 91) and Tamiko Kawachi (1994 at age 51); and brother Asao Kimura (1997) Survivors include her husband, John McCarthy of Graham, WA; daughters Kathryn (Jeff) Wilson of Gig Harbor, WA and Monica (John) Bradley of Texas; grandson Derek Wilson of Gig Harbor, WA, granddaughter Sarah Bradley of TX; sisters Sachiyo Sagawa (age 85) and Umeko Yanagimachi (age 70) both of Japan; brother Mitsuo Kimura (age 79) of Japan; and numerous nieces and nephews. In keeping with Japanese tradition, her remains will be cremated. Memorial services will be on March 16, 2015 at 4:00p.m. at Lakewood Chapel 11020 S. Tacoma Way, Lakewood, WA. Flowers and cards may be sent care of Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 3005 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, Washington 98466.