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Codie T. (Kono) Nishimura was born on November 13, 1937, the third of nine children. She attended Farrington High School until her family relocated to Chicago where they owned and operated a Japanese restaurant. In Chicago, Codie was named Ginza Festival Queen and later met and married Donald Nishimura, a Georgetown law student from Wahiawa. After Donald graduated from Georgetown University, Codie and Donald, with daughter Sandy and son David, returned to Hawaii where son Duncan, and daughters Eudora and Jean joined the family.
Already the mother of 5 and wife to a law firm partner and eventual state senator, Codie expanded her ohana working at Molly's Coffee Shop in Koko Marina Shopping Center and later with United Airlines. When the family obtained the Magoo's Pizza franchise in Koko Marina, she became the manager and "House Mother" to a generation of young first jobbers. Codie was also a long-time league bowler.
Despite her full schedule, Codie was the consummate mother, chauffeuring her five kids to various appointments, meetings and practices. She was a part of that greatest generation of mothers who always fed the friends of her kids, even if they had just eaten. Within minutes after arriving at the Nishimura home, "Codie's Okazu-Ya" was open, urging everyone to "no be shame now, eat."
In the years following her retirement, Codie and her friends loved going holoholo around Hawaii Kai and urban Honolulu. They were seen almost daily at Koko Marina Zippy's and Foodland, and Hawaii Kai Shopping Center Longs and Safeway. Codie frequently visited her siblings and their families in California and Las Vegas. Her passion for travel was only challenged by her love of K Dramas.
Codie passed away in her sleep on October 31, 2020. She is survived by brother Leslie; sisters Charlotte Yee, Karen Kono, and Linda Furukawa; five children, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren -- all whom she loved and supported to the end.
Daughter, sister, wife, mom, aunt, friend …
Codie is, and will always be, in our hearts.
