Chieko N. Okazaki

Chieko Nishimura Okazaki (October 21, 1926 – August 1, 2011) was an American writer, educator, and religious leader. She served as first counselor to Elaine L. Jack in the Relief Society general presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1990 to 1997. She was the first minority to serve in the presidency of an LDS Church auxiliary organization.[1]

Chieko N. Okazaki
First Counselor in the general presidency of the Relief Society
March 31, 1990 (1990-03-31) – April 5, 1997 (1997-04-05)
Called byElaine L. Jack
PredecessorJoy F. Evans
SuccessorVirginia U. Jensen
Personal details
BornChieko Nishimura
(1926-10-21)October 21, 1926
Hawaii, United States
DiedAugust 1, 2011(2011-08-01) (aged 85)
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Cause of deathCongestive heart failure
Resting placeMountain View Memorial Estates
40.6113°N 111.8040°W / 40.6113; -111.8040 (Mountain View Memorial Estates)
Spouse(s)Edward Y. Okazaki
Children2
ParentsKanenori and Hatsuko Nishimura

Okazaki was born and raised in Hawaii as a Buddhist, the daughter of Hawaii-born parents of Japanese descent. As a child her mother, Hatsuko Nishimura, taught her the principle of kigatsuku—or doing what you know you should do without being told to do it.[2] At the age of fifteen she converted to the LDS Church. Professionally she was an educator and taught in Hawaii, Utah, and Colorado, and was also an elementary school principal.

Church service

Okazaki's church service began in 1961 when she was appointed to the YWMIA board in the LDS Church and was the first minority to serve in the position. From 1968 to 1971 she served with her husband as he served as the first president of the church's Japan Okinawa Mission and then the Japan Central Mission, based in Kobe, after the Japan Okinawa Mission was divided. In 1990, Okazaki was called to be the first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency. In that position, she became one of the first church leaders to address the topic of sexual abuse in a general church setting. She would also greet audiences with a warm "Aloha" at the beginning of her address.[3]

Okazaki was a prolific writer and published many books including Lighten Up and Being Enough. She was a member of the Southern Virginia University board of trustees. She was a frequent speaker at the women's conference at Brigham Young University and other events sponsored by the church.

Personal life

She was married to Edward Y. Okazaki and they had two sons. Her husband served in the United States Army during World War II. He was the first director of aging for the state of Utah.[4] Okazaki died of congestive heart failure in Salt Lake City, Utah, aged 84.[5]

Publications
  • Okazaki, Chieko N. (November 1991), "Rejoice in Every Good Thing", Ensign
  • —— (1992), The Power of Charity, Shadow Mountain recording, ISBN 978-0-87579-644-4CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (May 1992), "Spit and Mud and Kigatsuku", EnsignCS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (1993), Lighten Up!, Deseret Book, ISBN 978-0-87579-668-0CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (May 1993), "Cat's Cradle of Kindness", EnsignCS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (1993), Healing from Sexual Abuse, Deseret Book recording, ISBN 978-0-87579-742-7CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (1993), Valuing People: Six Lessons in Leadership, Deseret Book recording, ISBN 978-0-87579-749-6CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (November 1993), "Strength in the Savior", EnsignCS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (1993), Christmas Presence, Deseret Book recording, ISBN 978-0-87579-808-0CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (1994), Cat's Cradle, Bookcraft, ISBN 978-0-88494-904-6CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (1994), Shared Motherhood, Bookcraft, ISBN 978-0-88494-932-9CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (November 1994), "Rowing Your Boat", EnsignCS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (1995), Aloha!, Deseret Book, ISBN 978-0-87579-979-7CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (November 1995), "A Living Network", EnsignCS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (May 1996), "Baskets and Bottles", EnsignCS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (November 1996), "Raised in Hope", EnsignCS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (1997), Sanctuary, Deseret Book, ISBN 978-1-57345-154-3CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (1998), Disciples, Shadow Mountain, ISBN 978-1-57345-413-1CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (2002), Being Enough, Bookcraft, ISBN 978-1-57008-876-6CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (2004), Stars: Reflections on Christmas, Shadow Mountain, ISBN 978-1-59038-353-7CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • —— (2008), What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Deseret Book, ISBN 978-1-59038-855-6CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

References
  1. Stack, Peggy Fletcher (2011-08-11). "Beloved Mormon women's leader Chieko Okazaki dies". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
  2. Harmer, Katie (2013-05-10). "LDS Church leaders reflect on examples of motherhood in their lives". Deseret News. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
  3. Boss, Libby Potter (2012-06-11). "Remembering Chieko Okazaki" (PDF). Exponent II. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
  4. Prince, Greg (2005-11-15). ""There Is Always a Struggle": An Interview with Chieko N. Okazaki" (PDF). Dialogue Journal. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
  5. Walker, Joseph (2011-08-11). "LDS leader, author, speaker Chieko Okazaki dies". Deseret News. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titles
Preceded by
Joy F. Evans		 First Counselor in the general
presidency of the Relief Society
March 31, 1990 – April 5, 1997		 Succeeded by
Virginia U. Jensen
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