Masako was born and raised in Iwakuni, Japan, just south of Hiroshima. She had 2 sisters and 1 brother. Her father was a farmer, growing a variety of vegetables and some fruits. She loved the strawberries that her father grew in Japan. She knew at a young age that she wanted to live in America. She worked as a waitress on the US Naval base in Iwakuni when she met her future husband, Jim Gifford, who was a Lt. JG pilot stationed there. They were married in Japan Sept 5th 1967.
They went to Whidbey Island in Washington where Jim was stationed with Patrol Squadron 2, then Pensacola, Florida, where she took ESL classes (English as a Second Language).
Her son, Aaron, was born in November, 1970. The family moved to California in 1971 where soon afterward her daughter, Lara, was born. Then in 1973 her son, Julian, was born, rounding out her 3 children. After they moved to California, she achieved her US citizenship.
Masako was very artistic, taking classes to better herself and help her children. She learned to play the piano, made and decorated ceramics, drew beautiful pictures, created oil paintings, made ornate flower arrangements, and decorated cakes as part of expressing her artistic talents.
She loved having family parties with great food and many guests. These included inviting exchange professors from Japan, friends from the JACL, friends from the "flying group," the Grand Terrace Sharks swim team, and many neighbors. These parties served as a social gathering for great food and great camaraderie. Additionally, she enjoyed social clubs, and participated in many different groups. These included: JACL (Japanese American Citizens League), the Grand Terrace Lions Club wife, and the Grand Terrace Historical Society, where she served as treasurer and helped to put on the the Grand Terrace Art Show, The Grand Terrace Country Fair, and The City of Grand Terrace's birthday yearly for the past several years. She also served on the Riverside Sister City Committee with Sendai, Japan, the oldest sister city relationship in the US. She worked with the Mayor's office in Riverside, as a translator when they hosted Japanese visitors and traveled to Sendai, Japan.
As a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Masako always put her family before herself. As the children grew up, she ran the family business of heating, air conditioning, and major appliance repair from the home. At the same time, she took the children Aaron, Lara, and Julian to swim team, gymnastics, piano lessons, Tae Kwon Do, Dance, and school band events while also volunteering to help out with events for the various clubs and groups.
She was very proud of her husband, children, and grandchildren's accomplishments and was always there to cheer them on. Among her many cherished memories include her husband, Jim, being awarded Lion of the Year, her son and daughter Aaron and Lara graduating from college, and her youngest son, Julian, excelling as a combat systems technician in the US Navy. She was pleased to see her grandchildren earn awards and perform songs and dances at school.
After the children left the nest, Masako wanted to travel to places they had never been and to visit longtime friends. So Jim and Masako traveled to many destinations. She visited Japan regularly. She and Jim traveled to Europe, they drove across the US to Washington D.C., Yellowstone National Park, toured the national parks in Utah, and watched a total Eclipse in Idaho. She and Jim also traveled by plane, ship, and train through Canada and Alaska, visited Jim's family in Pennsylvania, visited Alabama, Boston for historical sightseeing, and visiting various family and friends in far off places.
Over the last several years she most loved spending time with family and friends over a good meal and doting on her grandchildren, playing with them on the floor with their blocks, trains and dolls and taking them to the San Diego Zoo or going out to dinner.
Service Information:
Viewing on Monday June 11th from 4 - 8 pm at Akes funeral home, 9695 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92503. (800-517-5700)
Internment Service at 1:15 pm staging area 2 on June 12th at Riverside National Cemetery.
Reception will take place on June 12th from 4 - 8 pm at 4462 6th St. Riverside, CA 92508 near Mt. Rubidoux.
My Mom, Masako Gifford
By Lara
When I think about my mom, there are so many great memories of her with friends and family.
Growing up with my mom was special because there weren’t many Japanese people in our schools. When my friends met my mom for the first time, they would always say, “Oh, your mom is so cute and so tiny!” I would always say, “Yes, she is, but don’t be fooled by her size and cuteness...she is also very intimidating when she wants to be.”
She helped us learn about Japanese culture even though she didn’t teach us the language. She had many kimonos which she would pull out and admire from time to time. We put them on for pictures now and then. She took us to Japan to introduce us to her family and culture.
She also valued the American lifestyle very much. She always told us kids, “You have so many opportunities, you can be or do whatever you want.” She strongly encouraged us to go to college or join the military so we could get good jobs. The American Dream was ours because of her.
I loved when my mom would introduce me to her Japanese friends for the first time. She would say “Musume” and I knew that was Japanese for daughter. Then I would laugh as several different friends would look back and forth between my mom and me deciding whether to ask her if I was adopted because I look so “American.” She would laugh and say “No, Lara is not adopted!” Then I would ask, “Are you sure?” and we would laugh.
She always had a Japanese novel with her wherever she went. She read when she took my brothers and me to swim practice, piano lessons, and other practices. We have been finding them all over the house. At last count, she had accumulated over 3,500 of those little Japanese books…. and I have no doubt that she read them all. I think they were mostly mysteries and/or romantic stories, but I don’t read Japanese, so I am not completely sure!
I have many fond memories from JACL (Japanese American Citizens League) functions - the Thanksgiving dinners, the Sendai Festivals, and yearly picnics at Redlands Park. Mom loved being among friends and she enjoyed the cultural food and playing BINGO at the park.
My mom loved going out to lunch and dinner with friends and family. She usually chose Japanese, Mexican, Steak, or Chinese food. She loved flan for dessert at the Mexican food places. She used to go to Gardena with her friends to shop for Japanese food and go out to lunch there to an authentic Japanese restaurant.
Mom was a great cook and baker. Everyone loved when she hosted a party or would bring anything to a potluck. She was very well-known for her cream puffs, pies, and cherry squares. She baked treats at Christmastime to give to family, friends, and businesses my dad and she worked with. People always raved about her treats.
She spoiled my dad with great food and care, and loved traveling with him in the last few years. She told me that she was happy that they were able to travel together.
She was always a constant in my life, full of love and support. We always got together for birthdays and holidays. She enjoyed being with her children, their spouses, and grandchildren. I knew she was always ready to help at a moment’s notice. She helped me in recent years with babysitting my children when I needed her because I ran out of sick days. We affectionately started calling her “Mima” when my babies were learning to talk. She was a great mom and a wonderful Mima. I will forever miss her so much.