Beloved Sun City West resident Yaeko “Kiko” Wolber, passed away on November 30, 2020 after a brief, but spirited battle with cancer at age 87.  She transitioned peacefully with her son and caregiver David Parrish by her side.  Born in Kyushu, Japan where she was known as Mahara Yaeko to her childhood friends, the daughter of a geisha and a coal miner was raised by her aunt Ide Yaeno in Yahata before the Second World War decimated her town and family.  

 

After the conflict was over, she found ways to survive on her own until her biological father found her working at a farm in Saga and brought her to Sasebo.  There she changed her name to Kaku Yaeko and met a young U.S. sailor stationed there named Peter Parrish.  The couple married and made their way back to States in 1957 to begin a new life together.  Not knowing the language or customs, Yaeko had to start from scratch and became proficient at both and much more.  Her skills as a cook and seamstress were noted by all who benefited from them.

 

After divorcing in 1980, Kiko made her own way again by switching from housewife to quality control manager at an Ethan Allen furniture factory in Boonville, NY where she won accolades for her attention to detail.  In 1985 she met her mate for life, Albert Wolber and they danced around the world together, living in New York, Florida and Nevada before finally settling in Sun City West, Arizona.  

 

After Albie’s passing in 2008, Kiko was diagnosed with early onset dementia but she never let that slow her down, retaining her memory and math skills right up to the end.  She maintained her champion-level skills as members of the Wednesday night Bridge club in SCW found out first hand where she was known as the Queen of No-Trump.  

 

Kiko is still loved and missed by her 3 adoptive children, David, Stephen and Barbie and her legacy lives thru her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and family still living in Brazil and the Fukuoka area of Japan.  An avid pet lover, Kiko would like for you to please consider sending a donation to Chance Shelter, a no-kill pet assistance non-profit in AZ at chanceshelter.org in lieu of sending flowers.