Can't believe it's been 10 years! Same for Don on September 1st! Remembering both of them.

Don't seem to have current contact info for you, Jennifer. Send me a note at mbursem@gmail.com and let me know how you and your family are doing. 

BTW Lucy Thorp is aka Lucy Coulter Thorp, my childhood best friend living across the street while growing up in Golden, Colorado. Lucy can’t thank you and dad enough for giving her a sense of normalcy in family life when you took her under your wing to help raise her. I remember you made dresses in matching orange floral fabric for Lucy, Jennifer and I in photos wearing white gloves and pearls to go to church on Sunday. Much love from us all, your daughter, Lorel Keiko Saiki

Mrs Saiki (I dare not call her Jessica) was the mother of my best friend as a child, Lorel. I remember Mrs Saiki playing the harp, creating a piece of art or putting on a puppet show. There wasn't anything she couldn't handle, not even getting stuck in the mud on the way to Grand Lake, Co. As Mr Saiki (I dare not call him HIroshi) quietly dug our way out, Mrs Saiki cooked baked potatoes for us to hold to keep our hands warm. It was cold.
Mrs Saiki helped keep me sane as a child. My dysfunctional family was a close second to the Saiki family. I thank them, and mostly Mrs Saiki for showing me that life could be good. Thank you, Mrs Saiki, for helping me have a wonderful life. And thank you for having a wonderful daughter I can call my friend.

A birthday well remembered. Anxious to see Lorel's travel story.

Happy Birthday Mom! We really miss you but I know that you are watching over us all, keeping us safe — especially Mark.

Working on getting “Keiko’s Crazy Road Trip” (based on a true story about your trials and tribulations with dad over retirement plans to buy an Airstream travel trailer) into production. Just waiting for the Writers Strike to settle before we can go full steam on making this film!

Much love as always,
from your eldest daughter, Lorel Keiko Saiki

What a wonderful way to remember Jessica who was always helping others. Just donated to MSKCC. 

Lorel Keiko Saiki's birthday fundraiser for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

I created this fundraiser because my mother, Jessica Keiko Kawasuna Saiki, artist / author / painter / poet / composer / musician / soprano vocalist / all-time great mother, was a long-term breast cancer survivor for over 25-26 years thanks to the cancer research study she participated in, testing Tamoxifen. It is a beautiful way to celebrate and commemorate her life on the occasion of my birthday.

To honor my mother’s bravery and determination to fight cancer and continue to live a long and productive life, I'm asking for donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. They are one of the world's premier institutions dedicated to the treatment and study of cancer. Committed to exceptional patient care, leading-edge research, and superb educational programs, they provide patients with the best care available today while working to discover more effective ways to prevent, control, and ultimately cure cancer in the future.

Please give, so that others may benefit and live. Link to donate to Facebook’s Fundraiser page for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: https://www.facebook.com/donate/745875923915025/

With much love and gratitude, from her daughter, Lorel Keiko Saiki

Jessica will always be with us in her music, art, writing, her children, and grandchildren. A very strong woman in very quiet ways.

This is one very talented family, which really says a lot about Jessica.

Symphony Space was kind enough to send us an audio file from their archives, of Freda Foh Shen reading Jessica Kawasuna Saiki’s short story “Mitsuko’s Wedding” for a “Selected Shorts” radio program on NPR Symphony Space at the Getty Museum Villa in Malibu, October 1991.
It is for personal listening only but if anyone is interested, please email me at lksaiki5@gmail.com.
From her eldest daughter, Lorel Keiko Saiki

Just posted a couple photos, courtesy of Yoko Kurahashi in Japan from when she traveled to Denver in 1994 to interview Jessica about the translation of her books “Once, A Lotus Garden” and “From the Lanai” into Japanese. Mom was so proud and pleased to be able to share these slice-of-life short stories about the Japanese American community in Hawaii just before WWII with the Japan and Asia markets.
With love and kind remembrance from the Saiki children

Thank you mom for a life well lived.
“Life is made up of a few moments all strung together like pearls. Each moment is a pearl, and it is up to us to pick the ones with the highest luster. If we do not have time to do great things, take a few gentle moments and do small things in a great way.” ― Joyce Hilfer

Jessie’s life and work and memories remain with us. Denver (Lakewood) & Hawaii all contribute! Bless her soul and her fine family and legacy   Susan & Bob Christiansen

Lorel, Mike and I love this tribute you and your Family put together in honor of your Mom. She is a beautiful and very talented woman.
With Love to you and yours,
Paula & Mike

Jessica, you are a beautiful soul with a spicy fiery spark. I thank you for the honor of visiting myself and my daughter Victoria, after you have ascended back to Heaven.

This delightful journey, from Jessica's early days through the abundance of her life of creation and service, is one to revisit periodically - if only to remember what truly matters. Thank you for the lessons.

Mom we miss you more than ever. You were the glue that held our family together through good times and hard times. With much love, your daughter Lorel

I knew Jessica as Mrs. Saiki when Lorel and I first met in high school and became friends. I remember the Saiki’s home as a place where I felt warm and at ease. There was a lot of art and laughter and room to be yourself, whomever that may be. I’ve been privileged to have a friendship with a Lorel over 50 years. I see Jessica’s creativity carried on through Lorel’s art and writing. Jessica did a wonderful job nurturing this creative spirit in her children. Sending love and blessings to all her family on this anniversary of her passing.

Happy Birthday Mom! You will be pleased to know that your memorial website has had 15,306 views to date! People continue to view your artwork, your books and are still ordering “Aloha: Goodbye & Hello” from Trafford Publishing. I still get phone calls from book vendors offering to carry your books. We miss you a lot and you will always live on in our hearts. Much love from your daughter, Lorel Keiko Saiki

Mom, we miss you every day and think of you often. You will be pleased to know you have had 14, 072 visitors / views of the artwork and tributes on your memorial website to date! People are very kind to continue to think of our family and have return some of your artwork to us.
Love from your daughter, Lorel Keiko Saiki

Our lovely memories of Jessie are joined to those of others,& they began in Colorado with shared flower arrangements & watercolors. Later they included Hilo, writing, & her generous family..all making our worlds a better place. Bless her soul.

Happy Birthday Mom on your 90th birthday August 29, 2018. Think of you often and miss you a lot. I'll post new photos to your album from my sister Jennifer (Saiki) Evans new home in Pahoa, near your birthplace of Hilo, Hawaii. And photos from Joe " Jumbo" Kuroda plus of Osamu Murata, who joined you in Heaven this year.
Love and Aloha to you all,
Lorel

Thank you for the inspiration. Still have the books and have been writing the past few years.

Missing you, thinking of you today and always. Received very sad news from my friend Scott Schwimer that his mother passed away this morning, on the same day you passed away three years ago, February 21st. Sending love and remembrance to both our mothers.

Jesse, my heart will always be filled with gratitude, in spending time with me and my studies sessions. You were a great teacher and the way you taught is something I use even today as I continue my work. Thank You Jessie for just taking the time with me, miss you dearly.

Thank you so much for sharing this memorial. Your mom was a dignified, creative, and most gentle soul.  I am sure she is sorely missed by all - those close to her and those touched by her art, music, and writing who never knew her. What a wonderful life to celebrate!

I remember a Christmas when her plans to go to California fell through and she ended up with us for a traditional Greek dinner. I'm sure it wasn't what she was used to, but she was a good sport about it.

My prayers are with you all.

Happy Birthday Mom! Thinking of you on your birthday and miss celebrating together. With much love, your daughter Lorel

Hello from Watertown, Wisconsin, where I was happy to have met your mother several times in the 1980's. I purchased two of her prints and gave one to my niece when she had her daughter in the early 2000's, along with a book of Jessie's short stories.. I have kept the other print, a boy and dog, for the right occasion and that has arrived. My oldest son and wife are expecting a son in September and I am delighted to give them the Jessie Saiki print. Now I shall search on-line for a book. So nice to have found this site. Her poetry and prints were a delight.

Mom, I know it's been over a year and I still have lots of wonderful family photos that Jacque Weber sent to us plus pages from Aunty Alice Nakahara's photo albums. Jennifer and I photographed some of the pages when we were in Hawaii for your memorial services last August. There are 4+ photos per page that need to be individually cropped and color corrected, but will upload them when I can. Great stuff from your growing up days. Miss you!

I never met Jessica but I feel as if I knew a little bit of her through her art and short stories that Jennifer so kindly shared with me. I know she was a very special person to raise such a wonderful daughter as Jennifer. May her family and friends abide in her presence found in her lovely and loving art and words.

I will miss a truly gifted artist and Aunt - from hand making batiks, tile making, paintings involving into abstracts, writing music and playing the harp, writing novels and especially exploring all your natural creative talents to the fullest. You have lived.
Aloha Oe- till we meet again.

Aloha Aunt Jesse. Enjoyed welcoming you back to Hilo last week. Mahalo to you and your wonderful family.

Jennifer, Mike, and Nathan,
Thank you for sharing your mother/grandmother's story with us. What an amazing artist; her paintings are absolutely beautiful! Very inspirational and a reminder to all of us to live life to the fullest each and every day.
Suzanne- neighbor, Orinda, CA.

We have fond memories of Jessie in Golden, Colorado…..and beautiful church bouquets, shared art especially……and friendship.  Our appreciation for being a part of her life. Our admiration for the family bonds and love,  for their fine record of that family and their lives, particularly the memorial record of Jessie's writing and wonderful wonderful artwork!

I met Jesse in Golden, Colorado when our families were very young. We were attending the same church and I was so impressed with her singing in the choir. Then I saw some of her beautiful paintings and was amazed that one lovely little lady had so much talent. We kept in touch over the many years, sharing news of our families and lives. I was so sorry to hear of her passing and feel deeply the loss of a very special friend.

Our condolences Jennifer. 
Although we've never met your mother, her talents and impressive character show through her children.

"What a talented lady! We were privileged to share in some of her family's get-togethers over the years, including Neal and Lisa's marriage in Hilo. Our loving memories are sent to all of the Saiki family. Bernard and Shirley Renyer of Manhattan Beach, CA

Sending love and comfort to you and your family, Jennifer! From Don and Mary Beth

Although I did not ever meet her, I know her beautiful life lives on in her daughter Jennifer, Nate her grandson and son in law Mike. Knowing them has given me the opportunity to know Jesse.

I knew you as one of the the top students of the high school class of '45 at Mid-Pacific Institute. sorry we didn't get together her more often after graduation since everybody went their separate ways to get further educated and work to earn a living and raise a family. In Heaven shall we meet again. Aloha Jessie.

Although we were classmates in high school I never got to know Jessica that well. I remember her as being a very attractive, scholarly
person with a beautiful smile. Rest well, Jessica, in the arms of our gentle Father.

(Excerpts from my 1988 Freshman English Paper on Jessie Saiki)
Late into the evening hours after the dinner dishes are washed and dried, the children are in bed and the house is settled in for the night, she begins a new episode in a book of tales larger than life, beyond her scope of vision as housewife and mother. The English major consumes novels with a feverous energy. These books journey readers somewhere beyond reality, and the escape bring her closer to the "Walden" that she's always dreamt of. On her nightstand lays a dictionary and a pad of paper used to record new words that pass her way. As a married woman and mother of four she has traveled the familiar road of family living. Maybe that's the reason that she finds time to paint, it is an abstract impression of what things could be and not as everyone else sees them.
   Fast forward to 2014, I am bed side watching and observing my mother as she waits to walk with the Lord. She leaves us with a legacy of purpose having survived an intense battle with metastatic breast cancer 27 years ago. As an author, artist, singer, songwriter, composer, humanitarian and mother, I reflect in awe how she has lived life to the fullest in her golden years. It has been a blessing to have known her and it will be an honor to bid her aloha and goodbye per her wish for her children to accompany her home and sprinkle her ashes in Hilo.

Jesse was an extraordinary person. I wish I could have known her better but I'm grateful for the time that we did have as I was always impressed by her grace and wisdom.

I have so many fond memories of our friendship that started in Watertown, WI. You were a brilliant artist, writer and insightful reader. You gave me gifts that are still with me today. Bless you and your family with peace. Thank you for your great beauty and inspiration. I will honor you, always. Love, Becky

A beautiful, talented woman with an extraordinarily loving family. My thoughts are with you.