Rei Osaki will be sorely missed

Rei Osaki, a core NCRR member passed away in December after a brief illness. Rei had been an active member since NCRR’s Day of Protest march in 1989. The protest was for funding of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which gave an apology and monetary compensation to Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII. She was an enthusiastic participant in our monthly meetings with her astute observations, unique outlook, and wry sense of humor.

Rei was one of the first women graduates of the University of Idaho Law School. She had a profound appreciation of the Constitution and the hope for justice, equality and the improvement of the condition of peoples’ lives through action. She was also a member of the Manzanar Committee, the Democratic Club, Pasadena JACL, the Unitarian Neighborhood Church, Mother’s Club, YWCA, and the Society of Friends (Quakers). She enjoyed painting with watercolors later in life after the passing of her husband, Harry, a goldsmith worker and artist who taught at USC.

We will miss Rei’s sense of community, fulfillment, pride and reverence in serving others. She was always positive and hopeful, gracious and kind. She challenged us to work to achieve the results that we wanted and to take risks. Rei Osaki will be sorely missed.