Emily “Kikkie” Mori

With the calm resilience and resolve that she showed throughout her 90 years, Kikkie Mori passed away peacefully Saturday morning, November 6, a week after suffering a stroke. Her lifetime of kindness even continued into her last days and hours, while being surrounded and embraced by family and friends. Throughout her life, the warmth and the enduring radiance of her smile touched all who met and knew her.

Born on 10/20/1920 in the border town of Brawley, CA in the Imperial Valley, she spent her formative years on farms where her Japanese parents labored for success. Like nearly all Japanese Americans, she was swept away from her home into an internment camp in Arizona (Poston) for the duration of WWII. After the war, her family moved to Santa Barbara, where she would meet the love of her life, Joe Itsuki Mori. During their enduring marriage of 59 years, nothing could separate them, except for Joe’s death last year.

Kikkie lived a life of devotion and service, not only to Joe, but to family, friends, and others. A volunteer for Meals on Wheels for 25 years, she loved art, Japanese flower arranging, singing on walks with her sister, her many “adopted” daughters and granddaughters, and every dog she met.

She is survived by her sister and best friend, Dorothy Fujii, her sons Forrest and Paul, her daughter-in-law Priscilla, and her granddaughter Sarah who always brought her joy.

Services will be held on December 4, at 11:00 at Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Ave, Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to SB Meals on Wheels, Bethany Congregational Church, or consider giving a personal gift to support a young person needing help, just as she and Joe did throughout their lives.