Sister Chieko Okazaki remembered for her 'power of goodness'

Ninety-eight-year-old Florence Jacobsen, former Young Women general president and a neighbor to the Okazakis, had the vast congregation laughing when she explained that as she was getting up to speak a friend who was there helping her stepped on her skirt and pulled it down. "It's back up now," she said, still chuckling. "Chieko would have loved this!"

She urged those in attendance at the funeral to "go away remembering her, remembering her graciousness, remembering her example."

"We know there will be a great resurrection one day," Jacobsen said. "We will look forward to seeing her again then."

Music for the service was provided by a choir of missionaries who served with Sister Okazaki when her late husband, Edward, presided over the Japan Okinawa Mission. The service ended with a moving performance of "Aloha'oe" by Kekau Arakaki and Kamana'o Arakaki.

As part of their observance of Sister Okazaki's funeral services, family members suggested that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Edward Yukio and Chieko Okazaki Room at the University of Utah's College of Social Work, 395 S. 1500 East #101, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, or online at tiny.utah.edu/okazaki.

EMAIL: jwalker@desnews.com