Chieko Harada

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Celebrating the life of
Chieko HaradaOctober 30, 1924 - February 13, 2015

Chieko Harada left us during her stay at Hospice Savannah the morning of Friday the 13^th. She had just celebrated her 90^th birthday in October and was as lively as ever until these recent months when her health deteriorated rapidly. Despite her age, she attributed her lack of energy to laziness, and, for anyone who has ever met Chieko, we know this description does not hold true. Chieko busied herself in manifold ways both at home and at work.

Born in Osaka Japan in 1924, she was the youngest of 10 brothers and sisters. A few days before she passed, I asked her what she was thinking about. She said she was thinking about swimming with her friends and family in Tokyo Bay. She is survived in Japan by a niece, Machiko Nakishima and 2 great nieces, Karen and Lynn, of whom she is extremely proud. She is also survived by Kiyo Boyd of Colorado.

Chieko spent the bulk of her days in the states, moving here in her twenties. She has been a part of my family longer than I have, arriving in Savannah for the impending nuptials of my mother and father. She came on the bus with her suitcase and, fortunately for us all, never left. She is survived by an American family as well, but naming them is a nearly impossible task. Chieko touched the lives of so many people and was, I would say fiercely, loyal to those she loved. Chieko was a constant, unwavering source of love and affection to those she chose to remain close to. To my grandmother Edith Lanier, with whom Chieko worked and lived for 43 years, she was Chieko. To my mother Candace Lanier, myself (Patrick King), my wife Rebecca, and my children, Isaac and Emmett, she was Chieko. When my first child came around, while his grandmother and great grandmother were deciding what to be called, Chieko said, “I am Chieko,” claiming, quite rightly, she was in a league all her own.

For Chieko, I was “her boy” and that is a wonderful person to be. For others, I think she will be remembered as the one with the chocolate cake and chocolate chip cookies. She could shoot to the front of whatever line she was in, because she was the one who brought the clerks chocolate cake. She could make the post office open before hours because of that cake. Others remember her as the cashier at Hirano’s who passed the time with everyone, some of them from cradle to graduation.

There is not room enough to go on about those she touched.

Remembrances should be addressed to: Hospice Savannah PO Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416 or online at Hospice Savannah.org/helpbydonating.

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel

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I was so sorry to hear of Chieko's passing. She was a very special person. The last time we visited Edith and Chieko, Chieko gave us her famous chocolate cake when we left. I don't think that we ever left without one.

- Cathie Geisking Phillips, Lilburn, Georgia

Dear Lanier Family, I am so sorry to hear of this loss. My prayer is that the cherished memories fill your hearts.

- Fiona johnson, Savannah, Ga

I'm so very sorry to hear of Chieko's passing. She was such a loving co-worker and friend during my years at LCA. No one will ever be able to fill her shoes and anyone would be foolish to try. Such a sweet soul flying now as the angel she always was here on earth.

- Pat Gascoyne, Savannah, GA

There have been any who have crossed the Landolt family path, but none like Chieko-san. She has been a loving and faithful friend, but much more than just a friend. Even though Chieko did not share our blood, she shared our hearts and will always be family because of it. She loved us as her own and cared for my mother, Masko Landolt, as her sister. For the love, for the companionship , for the sharing of herself with us, we are forever grateful.

- The Richard Landolt family , Canton, Georgia

Our family loved Chieko at Hirano's. So sorry.

- Deborah, Birney, Betsy and Amy Bull, Savannah, GA

It is difficult to put into words all that Chieko has meant to our family. She stepped into the role of the Japanese great grandmother to my children they had never known. She was very kind and loving to them. She accepted my wife Cindy readily with love and openness. Chieko had an uncanny way to encourage you to be your best but accept you as you were. She truly loved my father dearly and was the closest of friends to my mother. There were fewer honors that would equal her smile and recognition for something she deemed well done. It meant the world to me to know that she was proud of me. The word has lost a kind, loving, and generous soul. Rest in peace Chieko San rest in peace.

- The Craig Landolt Family, Savannah, Ga

My family and I are truly sorry for your loss. Whenever our family visited my mother, Masako Landolt, we looked forward to seeing Chieko. My children, now in their late 20's, have known her all of their lives. She treated us to many meals at Hirano's, pushing us to eat more than we should. And, of course, we enjoyed her famous chocolate cake many times! Caring, generous, strong, energetic, loving, honest, and funny are a few of the words that describe Chieko. We will miss her so much.

- Kathy Landolt Owen, Kaufman, TX

Chieko was an enormous contributor to my happy childhood. I will forever remember how loving and special she was; her heart was limitless, and there hasn't been a more generous and caring soul than hers. She will be greatly missed but I carry her in my heart and memory, so she hasn't really left. She's just gone ahead and prepared the way for us left behind.

- Daryl Robinson, Iowa City, IA

She was a constant. She loved and was loved. She will be missed.

- Sharon & Bob Downing, Cleveland, Ga

May the memories of years together, help with the sorrow you feel...Our blessings are not always clear but they are always there and with us forever. Rest in peace Chieko. Susan Oetgen

- Susan Oetgen, Guyton, Ga