Penny Chieko Morimoto
April 11, 1941 - February 23, 2024
Resident of Los Gatos
Penny Chieko Morimoto (82) of Monte Sereno, California, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2024, with her children by her side. Born Peni Yuki to Takeo and Miyoko Yuki on April 11, 1941, in Salinas, California, Penny, along with the rest of her family, was interned at the Poston Relocation Center in Poston, Arizona during World War II, before her second birthday. Upon the end of the war in 1945, the Yuki Family returned to California and resettled in Los Gatos, CA. Penny attended Cambrian Elementary school before graduating from Camden High School in 1959. She went on to study at San Jose State University and UC Berkeley, ultimately graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Bacteriology (Public Health).
After living and working in San Francisco for several years post college, Penny married Edward Morimoto in 1969 and moved to Livermore, CA, where they lived for 12 years, having son Edward and daughter Libby during that time.
After returning to Los Gatos in 1981, Penny continued life as a devoted homemaker and mother. She was an active member of the San Jose Buddhist Church and the Bando Mitsusa Kai (classical Japanese dance group), and she was very involved in her children’s’ activities at Daves Avenue Elementary, Fisher Junior High, and Los Gatos High School. As her children grew older she returned to work part-time as a medical technician at a clinical laboratory, and later enjoyed daily walks with her dog in Los Gatos and volunteering at the Town’s public library and art museum. Penny was also an avid traveler and took many memorable trips with friends all over the world.
Penny is survived by children Edward Sugi (Phoebe) and Libby (Alan), grandchildren Reese (11) and Simon (4), siblings Emiko Yamate (Los Gatos) and Herbert Yuki (Malibu), along with many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and grand-nieces/nephews. She is predeceased by husband Edward, parents Takeo and Miyoko Yuki and older brother Thomas Yuki.
Memorial service for Penny Morimoto will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at the San Jose Buddhist Church (640 N 5th St, San Jose, CA 95112) at 2pm. In lieu of flowers/koden, the family requests donations be made to the San Jose Buddhist Church.