Betty Kiku Lythgoe

Betty "Kiku" Fukuhara Lythgoe born in Okinawa, Japan on August 10, 1940 to Kenji and Matsumega Fukuhara died Wednesday, May 30, 2007 from lung cancer. With only a suitcase full of clothes and a lot of hopes and dreams, she set off to a new country with her new American husband from Utah. After only about two years of marriage and one year in this country with a newborn son, she was divorced. Her husband left the state and she was alone. She turned to those who were supposed to be her new family, but there was no help there. Elizabeth Watkins who had been a missionary in Japan for 40 years along with the Baptist Church was her biggest help. She still had to face many difficulties including discrimination here in Salt Lake and to try and live and raise her son on her own. She had to work very hard at low paying manual labor jobs, which was her only source of money for herself and her son. She gave her child the best that she could, but the most significant thing was an understanding of her faith in God. At an early age she introduced him to the gospel and made sure he attended church every Sunday. She is now in Heaven with the Lord just as the Bible promises. She has received the eternal life promised to those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. She is now experiencing the fullness of joy and happiness with God and will be separated from us for a while. Although we know we will see her again, she will be missed very much by those who knew her and loved her. She is survived by her only child, Kenneth Lythgoe. I share a special thanks to Doctor Shigemasa Osaki and his wife Tomiko Osaki along with everyone at First Southern Japanese Baptist Church of Utah for their love, support and friendship during my mother's life. You have truly been a blessing to us and I also thank these in the medical community that were involved in my mothers care during her last days here. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2007 at the First Southern Baptist Church (1175 W. 600 N.) in Salt Lake City, Utah at 2 p.m.