Aiko Inouye Hamada

Aiko Inouye Hamada

September 27, 1925 ~ May 15, 2022

Aiko Inouye Hamada, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and church leader passed away surrounded by family, on Sunday evening, May 15, 2022. Aiko was born on September 27, 1925 in Venice, California to Kantaro and Tome Inouye. Aiko married Shigaru Hamada June 30, 1950 in Ogden, Utah, where they settled as farmers and raised their son, Raymond.

During Aiko’s adolescence she traveled back to Kuchiba, Japan where she completed her education and studied and perfected her passion for Odori. Aiko then returned to the United States where she met and married her husband. Aiko was a proud member of the Ogden Buddhist Church, where she held offices and became a pillar of the community. Aiko dedicated her life to her culture, church, and taking care of others; infusing that culture into everything she did through singing, music, dance, and cooking. Later in life, Aiko was able to travel the world with her family to Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. She was always able to find time to cook pies every week, make Shishu, garden, walk every morning, and be the matriarch to her family. Aiko will forever be remembered for everything she taught and the importance she placed on family

Aiko is survived by her one son, Raymond Takashi Hamada; three granddaughters, Chelsea (Stuart) Hamada-Gentry, Raychel (Matthew) Hamada, Allyson (Sasa) Hamada; two great-grandchildren, Bodhi and Morgan Gentry; one brother-in-law, Min Hamada; and two sisters-in-law, Haru Toimoto, Sheral Hamada. Preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Shigaru; her brothers, Yukitoshi Inouye and Toshiyuki, Tom, Omaye; brothers-in-law Masaru (Kiyo) Hamada, Yorito Hamada, Arthur Toimoto, and Dick Hamada; sister-in-law Mitsuko (Roy) Enomoto, and Martha Hamada; and her beloved dogs Pepper and Meiko.

Interment will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 12:15 p.m. at the Ogden City Cemetery, 1875 Monroe Blvd. Family requests masks be worn.

In lieu of flowers Aiko requested donations go to the Buddhist Church of Ogden.