Jayne Mariko Kobayashi

Jayne Mariko Kobayashi was many things—a beautiful bride, a loving mother, a proud grandmother. She worked hard, had a keen insight, and was known for her spunk. But the people who loved her best and miss her most will always remember the bright light that shone out from her spirit and her big, generous heart.

The fourth daughter of Matsuzo and Tsuya Kuwano, "Mari", as she was known to her family, was born on December 13, 1930 in the farming community of Santa Maria where her family resided with other Japanese-American families and shared the fabric of each other's lives. They loved and lost and even endured the indignity and injustice of WWII internment camps together, and the bonds that Jayne formed then lasted throughout her lifetime.

An underage Jayne was obliged to follow her parents to Japan after the war, until one of her sisters sent her money for passage back to America. Always grateful to be back in the states, Jayne lived and worked in a number of different cities, from Chicago to San Francisco.

A blind date in 1955 brought George Kobayashi into Jayne's life, and eight months later they married. Jayne and George had two daughters, Lark Cathy and Robin Elizabeth, and they lived for several years in Carson after buying their first home. Jayne was a secretary at Towa Warehouse during the years that she raised her daughters, and in 1972 the family eventually settled in the San Fernando Valley. Jayne passed her strength and her kindness and her tenacity on to her daughters, and over the years she showed them in countless ways how much she loved them, and how proud she was of their successes and accomplishments.

Jayne had a passion for horse racing, and was an avid fan of the sport. To her, this was very serious business, and she always claimed that she could use her knowledge of astrology (more serious business, and another passion) to help her pick winners. She knew all about blood lines, paid close attention to track conditions, and kept a special place in her heart for her favorite jockey Gary Stevens.

Jayne especially loved watching her only grandchild Madison grow into a strong, intelligent, and independent young lady. Madison is an accomplished musician (she plays the trumpet) and it pleased Jayne that she and her granddaughter shared a love of music.

Jayne was also devoted to her dog Maria. Jayne first set eyes upon Maria at the supermarket, where someone was standing out front with a regal-looking Doberman-Pinscher with a new litter. She noticed a small female puppy with a white mark in the shape of a cross on her breast and decided to take it home and call her Maria. Jayne and Maria were inseparable. They went on fishing trips together along the coast and would drive up and down the 101 to visit Jayne's mom and dad in Palo Alto. It was a sad day many years later when Jayne had to put Maria down but perhaps now they are reunited.

During the last years of her life, Jayne put herself in the capable hands of Rose Ortonio, an excellent caregiver whose patience and kindness have always been much appreciated by Jayne and her family. The family also wishes to extend their thanks and gratitude to caregivers Flora Gonzales and Irma Julao.

Jayne's journey here on earth ended on the 9th of September 2012 after a prolonged illness. She was 81 years old.

Jayne is survived by her husband, George Kobayashi, daughters Lark Nii and Robin Kobayashi and their husbands, Duane Nii and Christopher Mahon, respectively, one grandchild Madison Nii, two granddogs Macaroon and Buddha Mahon, sisters Kay Ishizaka and Grace Takeuchi, sister Betty Boaz and her husband Ken Boaz, and brother Arthur Kuwano and his partner Joseph Gorman.

A burial ceremony will be held September 22, 2012 at 10 a.m. at Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 South Western Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. For further information, go to www.greenhillsmemorial.com .

Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275