In Memory of Yukiko Takaki Townsend
Yukiko Takaki Townsend
Spouse: Theodore Townsend
Children: Aaron, Young-Hi, James
DOB: October 2, 1954
Blessing Date: January 12, 1989
Ascension: November 23, 2024
Seonghwa Ceremony: Monday, December 16 at 7:00 PM at Bay Area Family Church 2305 Washington Avenue, San Leandro CA 94577
Won Jeon : Tuesday, December 17 at 10:30 am at Lone Tree Cemetery 24591 Fairview Avenue, Hayward, CA 94541
Yukiko Takaki Townsend was born on October 2, 1954, the seventh of eight children. She grew up on a beautiful small island in the Hiroshima Prefecture that could only be reached by boat. She went to college in the city nearby and studied Japanese history, culture, and she wanted to be a librarian. She was granted a license to be a middle school teacher and a certification to be a librarian. After graduation, she worked as a swimming school instructor for four and a half years and enjoyed teaching children to swim.
On October 1, 1981 she joined the Unification Church and became a full time member. Soon after she started selling ivory stamps and ginseng extract. Later she sold kimonos, jewelry and paintings at exhibitions all around Japan. On October 15, 1986 she moved to Detroit to work as a waitress at a sushi restaurant. On March 27, 1987 she was matched to Theodore Townsend by Rev. Moon in New York City. After that she spent time at church centers in Idaho and Nevada, and enjoyed seeing the beautiful scenery in the wild west. On January 12, 1989, she and Theo were blessed in marriage by Rev. and Mrs. Moon in Korea. They eventually moved in to an apartment in Changwon at the southern tip in Korea.
In 1990, she and Theo moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where they had three children: Aaron (born in 1991), Young-Hi (born in 1993) and James (born in 1996). They were very happy to have three children and had many joyful experiences together. The family travelled on many adventures visiting Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Arizona, and many locations up and down the California coast. A highlight of her travels was touring Europe with her daughter Young-Hi. In 1991, she learned about Korean cooking and how to prepare the offering food for church Holy Day celebrations. In 1992 she began performing the Japanese tea ceremony for events sponsored by the Women's Federation for Peace. She taught preschool Sunday School for sixteen years, and volunteered as the treasurer for the church Boy Scout troop.
In October of 2022 she was diagnosed with cancer of the colon. After surgery she recovered for a time, but the cancer returned so she underwent a full chemotherapy treatment. In July of this year she went into septic shock and spent several weeks recovering before returning home. She passed quietly on November 23 at 9:15 AM surrounded by her family.
Yukiko was devoted to her husband, children, extended family and church. She was quick to jump into conversation and loved nothing more that to chat with friends over a cup of tea. She will be missed until we meet again.
Flowers: Please contact Monika Kellett (510) 853 1703
Cards to the Family: 1542 Halsey Avenue, San Leandro, CA 94578
