In Memory of Kazuko Kitano

Kazuko Kitano

Spouse: Yoshiaki Kitano
Children: Emiko Beltrami
Birthdate: November 3, 1943
Blessing: October 21, 1970
Ascension: June 26, 2022
Seonghwa Ceremony: July 4, 2022

Kazuko Kitano was born as the second daughter of Mr. Ippei Ogata and Mrs. Natsumi Ogata on November 3, 1946, in Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City. Kazuko has an older sister, Yoko, who is part of the 777 blessing couples.

Her father, Ippei, died at the age of 33, when Kazuko was six years old. Ippei was a devout Catholic who left a rosary and a Bible to his daughters.

Kazuko grew up with God and Jesus from a young age, and partly because of that influence, Kazuko had the faith that her father showed her. She had been protected and raised by God, Jesus, as well as Mary to the point of being fastidious.

In 1965, she worked in the Marine Insurance Company in Sendai city. Kazuko's older sister, Yoko, introduced her to the Divine Principle in July and participated in the 27th Special seminar. Soon after the workshop, she met with True Parents, which influenced her to join the Unification church.

She soon became the head office personnel and took charge of editing and typist roles in the cultural department in the Japan church. Later, Kazuko worked as a team leader as well as a lecturer at the Takarazuka Training Institute Education Department in Tokyo. Plus, she received numerous amounts of guidance from Shudo Sensei, Oyamada Sensei and other senior members during the pioneering days of the church in Japan.

Although Kazuko was of strong faith and zealous obedience, she suffered from a serious illness in her childhood and went to the hospital regularly.

Kazuko was blessed with Yoshiaki Kitano at the 777 Couples Blessing on October 21, 1970. After receiving the Blessing, the two worked to explore new areas of the church and solve the most difficult problems.

Kazuko also pioneered Sekai Nippo, the World Daily news publication and Issin Hospital. In February 1983, Kazuko and her husband were appointed as directors of the "Umi no Hotel Nakataya" in Atami. They later received countless awards from traveling agents and the mass media for their work.

One of the most memorable moments in Kazuko’s life was when her couple welcomed True Mother in May 1986 at the Hotel and provided the best hospitality to her. Their daughter, Emiko, was born around the same time and was later happily blessed with David Beltrami in Washington, D.C on March 3. 2015.

Although Kazuko had been physically weak since she was young, she was determined to travel to help Emiko’s recovery after pregnancy. She spent happy moments holding a baby shower to celebrate her granddaughter, she toured the world-renowned Niagara Falls, and she celebrated the 13th anniversary memorial service for her husband, Yoshiaki.

However, Kazuko collapsed and was hospitalized on the night of Saturday, June 25th. Emiko had been able to react quickly and save her mother’s life. Unfortunately, the following day in the hospital, Kazuko suffered a seizure and ascended to the spirit world on Sunday, June 26th.

She may not have spent much time living with David and Emiko, however, during the time they did spend together, they could see that she always thought of others before herself. She would love to wake up in the morning and catch a glimpse of a deer, a chipmunk or a bird in the backyard. Often times, she would politely ask if David and Emiko needed anything when they wanted to offer that generosity to her. She had improved her physical stability to a point where they were able to take her to Niagara Falls and to Emiko’s alma mater, SUNY Plattsburgh. They wanted her to have a place to call home, with no need to travel anymore. During the months they were together as a family, David and Emiko were looking for an affordable place that had an in-law suite, so Kazuko could have space as a part of their family. They’re desire as a couple is to model their lives with the generosity and kindness Kazuko showed everyone.

Seonghwa Ceremony

Date: July 4, 2022 at 5PM EST
Location: Huffman Funeral Home and Crematory (2020 W Trindle Rd, Carlisle, PA 17013)

Cards and condolences can be sent to the family:
26 E Winding Hill Rd Unit B Mechanicsburg PA 17055