Jane Kurakazu

Jane Hitomi Kurakazu passed away peacefully at home on November 8, 2025.

Born and raised in northern California, Jane spent her early years surrounded by her parents and seven siblings. In 1942, her family was forcibly relocated to the Rohwer War Relocation Center during World War II. After their release in 1945, they resettled in Chicago, where Jane resumed her education and discovered her lifelong calling as a teacher. Her career in education spanned an extraordinary 58 years, first in the Chicago Public School system, and later, following retirement, in Nevada’s schools.

In Chicago, Jane met George (“Jerry”) Kurakazu, and they married in 1959. Together, they raised three daughters and remained deeply connected to their extended family. Family gatherings growing up are among our favorite memories as they included way too much food and a house full of cousins, aunts and uncles. This shared history was often captured in photographs, especially the beloved images of the Kawanaga siblings lined up from oldest to youngest.

Jane was preceded in death by Jerry, her parents Alice and Roy Kawanaga, sisters Betty Fukuda, Shirley Terada, Patricia Abe, Gladys Fujiwara, Mildred Yamada and brother Dr. Henry Kawanaga. She is survived by sister Josephine (Mel) Takaki as well as many nephews and nieces; children Susan (Paul) Tanabe, Alisa (David) Kurakazusampson, and Mara Neary; grandchildren Matthew, Andy and Bryan Tanabe, Christopher (Savannah) Hosakura, Benjiman (Allanna) Kurakazusampson, Shea and Molly Neary and great-grandchild Callum Kurakazusampson.

She taught us how to be strong - not just in the face of hardship, but in the everyday moments that demanded grit, independence, and resolve. There’s a bit of “Hurricane Jane” in each of us, usually when we are cleaning furiously or fiercely speaking our minds.