Liz Kitazato Storey was born to Shigejiro (aka Mojiro) and Michiko (aka Michio) Kitazato in their home in Oguni Machi, a small country town along the Tsuetate River, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. They named her Kazuko (aka Kazu) and registered her birth on January 5th, 1929.
On December 24, 2021, 12 days shy of 93, she passed away at home in Honolulu. Her husband was at her side. Her pastor visited and offered prayers that evening and again on January 5th at her cremation.
As girl and woman, she was cheerful, fit, and pretty. She loved and respected her kin, and she praised their achievements. As a child she swam in the Tsuetate, and she practiced gymnastics. She had her early schooling in Oguni Machi. She went on to Daiichi High School in Kumamoto city and to college in Tokyo. High grades came easily.
When she came to the United States she adopted the name Liz, after the English lady that had taught her in kindergarten. In 1966 she settled in Honolulu. She liked helping people, so she became a driving instructor and helped housewives and stewardesses get their licenses. She liked art, so she taught batik and opened an art gallery and an art supply store. She was very health conscious, so she opened Yamazu Tsukarezu, her health supplements business in Hawaii and California. She regularly telephoned KZOO Radio to join health discussions on the air. She enjoyed hosting gatherings for Hoju Kai seniors at Pu'unui Park.
She is survived by her son Jeff Storey in San Diego; grandson Nicholas Storey in Los Angeles; brother Makio Kitazato in Tokyo; sisters Miwako Kawazu in Oguni Machi and Chitoko Asano in Tokyo; and her husband William Howell Selvey in Honolulu.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
°