Chieko Imai
1926 ~ 2013
Chieko "Chickie" Imai passed away on March 26, 2013 in Anaheim, California.
Chickie was born Chieko Aono in Portland, Oregon on April 24, 1926 to Hana and Munetaro Aono, both recently immigrated from Japan. She lived in the Portland area with her family until the age of 16, when she and her family were relocated to the Internment Camp in Minidoka, Idaho, along with more than 9,000 other people of Japanese ancestry. Chieko graduated from Hunt High School (where she earned her lifelong nickname of "Chickie") while still in camp, and she was 19 when her family was allowed to leave.
While rooming with a friend from camp in Portland, Chickie met a tall soldier-turned-farmer named Shiro Imai. Chickie and Shiro were married in Hood River on November 21, 1948, and 50 years later would celebrate their golden anniversary together. Eventually they moved to Boise, Idaho, where they made a permanent home and raised their son, Randy, born in 1958.
In Boise, Shiro found a steady job with the U.S. Postal Service, and after a short stint in a photography studio, Chickie began work at Mountain Bell (U.S. West Communications), where she displayed the dedication and work ethic that was so much a part of her personality. Chickie was at Mountain Bell for over 35 years until her retirement in 1987. During her career, Chickie formally became a member of the CenturyLink Pioneers for her 21 years of service to the telecom industry, and former colleagues remember her courteous nature to this day. After retirement, she went on to volunteer at Boise State University, her son's alma mater, and wore the orange-and-blue with pride. She was a dedicated member of Bronco Athletic Association and enjoyed assisting the ticketing office with her friends. She loved attending BSU football and basketball games and was part of the crowd at the famous 2007 Fiesta Bowl.
Though an enthusiastic supporter of sports of all kinds, Chickie is remembered as a skilled bowler, and she lived up to her recognition in the Boise Women's Bowling Association Hall of Fame by humbling her grandchildren on the lanes regularly. Chickie participated in countless tournaments and boasted amazing averages throughout her bowling career, earning a position in the "Boise High Five" for many times. She was a beloved member of the Boise bowling community and will be sorely missed.
Chickie spent her final years close to her son and grandchildren in Southern California, where she encouraged flowers to bloom and Angels baseball players to succeed. She was a cancer survivor, and with the help of her daughter-in-law, a CCU nurse, she battled heart issues in her final years with bravery and grace.
Chickie's warm presence will be deeply missed in the lives of her son, Randy, his wife Tracy, and two grandchildren, Nikki and Alex.
She is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Shiro, and her brothers Yutaka, Minoru and Shozo.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 20, 2013 at Relyea Funeral Chapel in Boise, Idaho.
Published in Idaho Statesman on April 16, 2013
1926 ~ 2013
Chieko "Chickie" Imai passed away on March 26, 2013 in Anaheim, California.
Chickie was born Chieko Aono in Portland, Oregon on April 24, 1926 to Hana and Munetaro Aono, both recently immigrated from Japan. She lived in the Portland area with her family until the age of 16, when she and her family were relocated to the Internment Camp in Minidoka, Idaho, along with more than 9,000 other people of Japanese ancestry. Chieko graduated from Hunt High School (where she earned her lifelong nickname of "Chickie") while still in camp, and she was 19 when her family was allowed to leave.
While rooming with a friend from camp in Portland, Chickie met a tall soldier-turned-farmer named Shiro Imai. Chickie and Shiro were married in Hood River on November 21, 1948, and 50 years later would celebrate their golden anniversary together. Eventually they moved to Boise, Idaho, where they made a permanent home and raised their son, Randy, born in 1958.
In Boise, Shiro found a steady job with the U.S. Postal Service, and after a short stint in a photography studio, Chickie began work at Mountain Bell (U.S. West Communications), where she displayed the dedication and work ethic that was so much a part of her personality. Chickie was at Mountain Bell for over 35 years until her retirement in 1987. During her career, Chickie formally became a member of the CenturyLink Pioneers for her 21 years of service to the telecom industry, and former colleagues remember her courteous nature to this day. After retirement, she went on to volunteer at Boise State University, her son's alma mater, and wore the orange-and-blue with pride. She was a dedicated member of Bronco Athletic Association and enjoyed assisting the ticketing office with her friends. She loved attending BSU football and basketball games and was part of the crowd at the famous 2007 Fiesta Bowl.
Though an enthusiastic supporter of sports of all kinds, Chickie is remembered as a skilled bowler, and she lived up to her recognition in the Boise Women's Bowling Association Hall of Fame by humbling her grandchildren on the lanes regularly. Chickie participated in countless tournaments and boasted amazing averages throughout her bowling career, earning a position in the "Boise High Five" for many times. She was a beloved member of the Boise bowling community and will be sorely missed.
Chickie spent her final years close to her son and grandchildren in Southern California, where she encouraged flowers to bloom and Angels baseball players to succeed. She was a cancer survivor, and with the help of her daughter-in-law, a CCU nurse, she battled heart issues in her final years with bravery and grace.
Chickie's warm presence will be deeply missed in the lives of her son, Randy, his wife Tracy, and two grandchildren, Nikki and Alex.
She is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Shiro, and her brothers Yutaka, Minoru and Shozo.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 20, 2013 at Relyea Funeral Chapel in Boise, Idaho.
Published in Idaho Statesman on April 16, 2013
Chieko Imai
1926 ~ 2013
Chieko "Chickie" Imai passed away on March 26, 2013 in Anaheim, California.
Chickie was born Chieko Aono in Portland, Oregon on April 24, 1926 to Hana and Munetaro Aono, both recently immigrated from Japan. She lived in the Portland area with her family until the age of 16, when she and her family were relocated to the Internment Camp in Minidoka, Idaho, along with more than 9,000 other people of Japanese ancestry. Chieko graduated from Hunt High School (where she earned her lifelong nickname of "Chickie") while still in camp, and she was 19 when her family was allowed to leave.
While rooming with a friend from camp in Portland, Chickie met a tall soldier-turned-farmer named Shiro Imai. Chickie and Shiro were married in Hood River on November 21, 1948, and 50 years later would celebrate their golden anniversary together. Eventually they moved to Boise, Idaho, where they made a permanent home and raised their son, Randy, born in 1958.
In Boise, Shiro found a steady job with the U.S. Postal Service, and after a short stint in a photography studio, Chickie began work at Mountain Bell (U.S. West Communications), where she displayed the dedication and work ethic that was so much a part of her personality. Chickie was at Mountain Bell for over 35 years until her retirement in 1987. During her career, Chickie formally became a member of the CenturyLink Pioneers for her 21 years of service to the telecom industry, and former colleagues remember her courteous nature to this day. After retirement, she went on to volunteer at Boise State University, her son's alma mater, and wore the orange-and-blue with pride. She was a dedicated member of Bronco Athletic Association and enjoyed assisting the ticketing office with her friends. She loved attending BSU football and basketball games and was part of the crowd at the famous 2007 Fiesta Bowl.
Though an enthusiastic supporter of sports of all kinds, Chickie is remembered as a skilled bowler, and she lived up to her recognition in the Boise Women's Bowling Association Hall of Fame by humbling her grandchildren on the lanes regularly. Chickie participated in countless tournaments and boasted amazing averages throughout her bowling career, earning a position in the "Boise High Five" for many times. She was a beloved member of the Boise bowling community and will be sorely missed.
Chickie spent her final years close to her son and grandchildren in Southern California, where she encouraged flowers to bloom and Angels baseball players to succeed. She was a cancer survivor, and with the help of her daughter-in-law, a CCU nurse, she battled heart issues in her final years with bravery and grace.
Chickie's warm presence will be deeply missed in the lives of her son, Randy, his wife Tracy, and two grandchildren, Nikki and Alex.
She is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Shiro, and her brothers Yutaka, Minoru and Shozo.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 20, 2013 at Relyea Funeral Chapel in Boise, Idaho.
Published in Idaho Statesman on April 16, 2013
1926 ~ 2013
Chieko "Chickie" Imai passed away on March 26, 2013 in Anaheim, California.
Chickie was born Chieko Aono in Portland, Oregon on April 24, 1926 to Hana and Munetaro Aono, both recently immigrated from Japan. She lived in the Portland area with her family until the age of 16, when she and her family were relocated to the Internment Camp in Minidoka, Idaho, along with more than 9,000 other people of Japanese ancestry. Chieko graduated from Hunt High School (where she earned her lifelong nickname of "Chickie") while still in camp, and she was 19 when her family was allowed to leave.
While rooming with a friend from camp in Portland, Chickie met a tall soldier-turned-farmer named Shiro Imai. Chickie and Shiro were married in Hood River on November 21, 1948, and 50 years later would celebrate their golden anniversary together. Eventually they moved to Boise, Idaho, where they made a permanent home and raised their son, Randy, born in 1958.
In Boise, Shiro found a steady job with the U.S. Postal Service, and after a short stint in a photography studio, Chickie began work at Mountain Bell (U.S. West Communications), where she displayed the dedication and work ethic that was so much a part of her personality. Chickie was at Mountain Bell for over 35 years until her retirement in 1987. During her career, Chickie formally became a member of the CenturyLink Pioneers for her 21 years of service to the telecom industry, and former colleagues remember her courteous nature to this day. After retirement, she went on to volunteer at Boise State University, her son's alma mater, and wore the orange-and-blue with pride. She was a dedicated member of Bronco Athletic Association and enjoyed assisting the ticketing office with her friends. She loved attending BSU football and basketball games and was part of the crowd at the famous 2007 Fiesta Bowl.
Though an enthusiastic supporter of sports of all kinds, Chickie is remembered as a skilled bowler, and she lived up to her recognition in the Boise Women's Bowling Association Hall of Fame by humbling her grandchildren on the lanes regularly. Chickie participated in countless tournaments and boasted amazing averages throughout her bowling career, earning a position in the "Boise High Five" for many times. She was a beloved member of the Boise bowling community and will be sorely missed.
Chickie spent her final years close to her son and grandchildren in Southern California, where she encouraged flowers to bloom and Angels baseball players to succeed. She was a cancer survivor, and with the help of her daughter-in-law, a CCU nurse, she battled heart issues in her final years with bravery and grace.
Chickie's warm presence will be deeply missed in the lives of her son, Randy, his wife Tracy, and two grandchildren, Nikki and Alex.
She is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Shiro, and her brothers Yutaka, Minoru and Shozo.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 20, 2013 at Relyea Funeral Chapel in Boise, Idaho.
Published in Idaho Statesman on April 16, 2013
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