Jane Ukie Katamoto Matsunaga died peacefully at her Moanalua home on May 12, 2022, after a lifetime of humility, hard work and helping others. She was 94 years old. Jane was born in Pauoa, the fourth child of Usaburo and Iwa Katamoto, a few minutes before her twin sister, Jean Sazue. Their parents were immigrants from Ehime-ken, Japan. Usaburo was a boat builder in Kakaako and Iwa owned a neighborhood store. Jane attended Pohukaina, Washington Intermediate and McKinley High School as well as Kakaako Japanese language school.She was forged by World War II, from the blasts that halted her Sunday school class at Kakaako Mission on Dec. 7, 1941 to the return of her father from internment in New Mexico and Texas four years later. Jane graduated from McKinley in 1945 and attended the University of Hawaii.There she earned a degree in sociology and met an Army war veteran, George Mitsuru Matsunaga.
They married in 1951 and raised six children. Jane joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1958 and was an active member for the rest of her life. Also in 1958, she went to work for the Air Force at Hickam Field, retiring as a data supervisor in 1990. She soon went to work part-time at Moanalua Elementary School, and held that job until she was 91. She was a stalwart member of the Moanalua Gardens Community Association for decades and a supporter of the American Heart Association and several veterans organizations. But she always had time for her family. She was an avid reader, a world traveler and a kind soul who especially enjoyed children and babies. She was much loved by her family and friends and is greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by George, her husband of 65 years, and daughter, Gwen Shiroma. Survived by children, Mark (Karen L.), Emma Matsunaga (Daniel Siu), Owen (Karen K.), Lyle (Cindy) of Wailuku and Ivan (Terri) of Illinois; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grand- children; brother, Masaru "Joe" Katamoto; sisters, Jean S. Kawamura and Beatrice M. (Edward) Matsui of Maryland. Private family services held. Inurnment at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary
