Ferry Taniguchi

Ferry Hiroko Taniguchi

November 16, 1920 ~ August 2, 2016

Ferry Taniguchi, 95, crossed into the Pure Land after passing peacefully on August 2, 2016.  She was born November 16, 1920 to Masaki and Kosuye Okura in the small coal mining town of Kenilworth in Carbon County, Utah.

Growing up as a second generation Japanese-American (Nisei), she and her sisters lived a hard-scrabble life where poverty and ethnic discrimination were the rule.  Somehow, Mother Okura saw her daughters through their early years by hard work and sacrifice.

Ferry married Fred Wataru Taniguchi on June 15, 1941 in Whittier, California.  Their marriage lasted for 69 years until his death in 2010.  Their early married life was marked by the relocation of all Japanese Americans from the West Coast during World War II.  This caused Ferry and Fred to move to Price, Utah where they and Mother Okura established several successful restaurants, culminating with the famous Crest Café.  They raised seven children while running their restaurants and all are now successful members of their communities.

After retirement Ferry, Fred, and Mother Okura moved to Ogden where for over 30 years they enjoyed the fruits of their hard work by traveling extensively and becoming integrated into the local Japanese-American community.

She was a member of the Ogden Buddhist Church and the Buddhist Women’s Association.  Surviving are her children, Alice (Harry) Suekawa, Ogden; Sherry (Charles) Miyashiro, Corte Madera, CA; Bob (Nancy) Taniguchi, Corvallis, OR; Joanne (Chet) Kanehara, Sandy; Jeanne (Tom) Ogden, Price; Jeff (Sandie) Taniguchi, Vernal; and Debby Taniguchi (Jeff Worsham), Morgantown, WV.  She had 11 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and two sisters, Cherry Tsubota and Toshiko Yoshihara.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Ogden Buddhist Church, 155 North Street, Rev. Jerry Hirano presiding.  Friends may visit with family on Tuesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the church.  Burial will follow at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.  Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary.