[Oe List ...] Martha Kurihara obituary

[James Wiegel via OE]

Martie was married to Lloyd Kurihara in 1950 and has four children: Paul, Evelyn, Linda and Janis. She has 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
 
Martie was adopted by her daughter-in-law Teresita’s family, the Almanza’s, here in Sanger. By association the most recent “grandson” who came to read books to grandma was Nicholas Castellanos, who referred to her as “little grandma”.  Tere’s sister, Mary Magallon, is the actual grandma and Evie is his mother.  Yolanda Almanza’s family joined with the Kuriharas to form a very strong bond.
 
Martie graduated with honors from California State University of Fresno on Jan 26, 1968, Summa Cum Laude, Top Ten of her Class.  Martha received her Master of Arts in English, June 17, 1976.
 
Martie was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Sanger and lived in Sanger since 1987.  She worked with curriculum design and the vacation bible school for many years   She was in the choir and the Sunshine singers.  She was the lay representative for the congregation at the United Methodist Conference for several years.  Martie was always a woman of spirit.
 
She loved books and words. She was a librarian one year living in Reedley before Paul was born. There is a story about Uncle Ernie, he wanted her to read the funnies on Sunday as a child and that was her first memory of reading.  She would even read cereal boxes at the breakfast table.  Martie could quote the Bible, Chaucer or Shakespeare. She could tell you the scientific names of animals, trees and plants. Living was an opportunity to learn.
 
Martie was very nearsighted and did not receive glasses until she was 12 years old in the Internment Camp for Japanese Americans.  Before glasses, she took the challenge of going to the blackboard, reading all the information, memorizing it and going back to her desk to write it down.  This created an almost photographic memory. The world of books and nature opened to her with her new vision.
 
She restarted the Wilson School PTA with the help of Mrs. Lomeli and Mrs. Cardinas while Mr. Argelben was principal until Mr. Kirchner became a principal. After she had taught school for several years, she represented the teachers to negotiate salaries and benefits.  She was not afraid to speak at school board meetings for what she felt was right.  
 
She taught 7thth grade English at Washington Jr. High School for Sanger Unified School District from 1968 –1989 and later tutored Adult Education Independent Studies one on one for Reedley Jr. College.  All students at Washington, including Linda and Tere, that had grammar from Mrs. Kurihara could recite the following 23 linking verbs: Am, Are, Is, Was, Were, Be, Being, Been. Can, Could, Shall, Should, Will, Would, May, Might, Must, Have, Has, Had, Did, Do, Does.
 
She focused on young students who moved from childhood to adulthood and believed they could learn and learning was power for their future. She had hope and believed everyone she met could succeed and overcome any barrier.
 
In her last of year of teaching, she rose to the challenge of tutoring Cambodian students after school, because she felt, they were just like her parents, who depended on the children to speak English so they could make it in life.
 
She believed that every person has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness regardless of gender, color, race, or religion.
 
In her final years Jonathan, Teresita and Paul Kurihara cared for Martie as a true labor of love. We thank them for giving Martie the chance to live in dignity at home and the compassion to transit in peace.  We are so grateful to everyone who helped Martie in Sanger, during her twilight years, but especially to the Almanza family, each and every one.


Jim Wiegel
401 North Beverly Way, Tolleson, Arizona 85353
Tel. 011-623-936-8671 or 011-623-363-3277
jfwiegel at yahoo.com
www.partnersinparticipation.com

We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master. 
Ernest Hemingway
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