REIKO TAKAKUWA ODA 89, peacefully passed away on June 10, 2016, after a long battle with Frontal Lobe Dementia/Alzheimer's, at her home in Centennial, Colorado. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on December 21, 1926 to Shujiro and Yayoi Takakuwa, she is survived by her husband, Charles Oda, daughters, Bonnie Oda Homsey (Philip) of Los Angeles, California, and Jill Oda Woomer of Centennial, Colorado; her sisters Hisako Takakuwa of Colorado and Asahi Takakuwa Oshima (Robert) of Colorado; three grand-daughters (Devin Homsey, Kara Homsey and Tali Homsey) and two grandsons (Mitchel Woomer and Augustus Woomer). Reiko graduated from Punahou in 1944, went on to receive a college degree from the University of Hawai'i, and took graduate courses at Columbia University in New York City. For decades her Oda Ballet School founded in 1958, trained generations of young people several of whom had distinguished careers with dance companies and in theater in the U.S. and abroad. She also taught at the University of Hawai'i College of Continuing Education, even launching a visionary ballet class for UH football players as injury prevention. Under the auspices of the Federal Title III, Reiko pioneered dance education for underserved children on the outer islands. She helped establish the Hawai'i State Dance Council, and was an early news contributor to Dance Magazine. A memorial service will be held at a future date to be announced in Honolulu, Hawaii, in celebration of Reiko's life.
REIKO TAKAKUWA ODA 89, peacefully passed away on June 10, 2016, after a long battle with Frontal Lobe Dementia/Alzheimer's, at her home in Centennial, Colorado. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on December 21, 1926 to Shujiro and Yayoi Takakuwa, she is survived by her husband, Charles Oda, daughters, Bonnie Oda Homsey (Philip) of Los Angeles, California, and Jill Oda Woomer of Centennial, Colorado; her sisters Hisako Takakuwa of Colorado and Asahi Takakuwa Oshima (Robert) of Colorado; three grand-daughters (Devin Homsey, Kara Homsey and Tali Homsey) and two grandsons (Mitchel Woomer and Augustus Woomer). Reiko graduated from Punahou in 1944, went on to receive a college degree from the University of Hawai'i, and took graduate courses at Columbia University in New York City. For decades her Oda Ballet School founded in 1958, trained generations of young people several of whom had distinguished careers with dance companies and in theater in the U.S. and abroad. She also taught at the University of Hawai'i College of Continuing Education, even launching a visionary ballet class for UH football players as injury prevention. Under the auspices of the Federal Title III, Reiko pioneered dance education for underserved children on the outer islands. She helped establish the Hawai'i State Dance Council, and was an early news contributor to Dance Magazine. A memorial service will be held at a future date to be announced in Honolulu, Hawaii, in celebration of Reiko's life.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
