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On-Line Articles:
Ghost Word: Ethereal thoughts on books and writing
San Jose Mercury News Article
Oakland Tribune Article I
Oakland Tribune Article II
Contra Costa Times Article I
Contra Costa Times Article II
B I R D on flickr
Daily Californian Article
SF Chronicle Article
Hokubei News Article
Messages:
I worked with Chiori at the East Bay Municipal Utility District back in the 1970s, and remember her warmth, wit and great
intelligence. She did far more than promote water conservation, which her son Roberto (then called "Tito") remembers.
After all, he was only about five at the time. She was a skilled and graceful writer way back then, working on newsletters,
annual reports, speeches and press releases.
When she was hired, EBMUD was in the process of a determined affirmative action effort, making it clear that women in
"non-traditional" jobs and minority workers were more than welcome. A very conservative employee asked me, "Well,
when does your new man come aboard?" I responded, "HER name is Chiori Santiago, and SHE starts in a week."
He puzzled over the startling fact that this new employee was female, and then there were the names, one sounding Asian, one
likely Hispanic, and said, "Whew! You really did it ALL AT ONCE, didn't you?"
She may have been taken for a Latina, but I also remember a terrific essay she wrote while we worked together. The title?
"DON'T Call Me Fortune Cookie!" With the greatest dignity and wit, she fought discrimination wherever she found
it.
I have watched Chiori's career grow in the arts community, and was thrilled to see her work in the Smithsonian magazine,
which I encountered at my endodontist's office. (I doubt there are many whoops of delight heard in any dentist's office, but
that's how I reacted to the article.) She also wrote a lovely piece for the Oakland Museum of California's magazine, about
the wildflower posters EBMUD and OMC have done cooperatively for a quarter century, a project I have been privileged to work
on all that time. She made it sound fresh and new, as she did with so many subjects.
The arts world has lost a wonderful communicator, two young men have lost a great mom, and I have lost a friend. Even
if we had not seen each other for some years, we always seemed to be able to talk easily, as if we had seen each other a day
before. Chiori met her fate with grace, as she did all things. I am so sorry she is gone so early. I wish we had talked more
often, for she always has something wonderful to say.
"Into the earth they go,
The good,
The beautiful,
The kind.
But I do not approve,
And I am not resigned."
--Edna St. Vincent Millay
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My friend Sam doesn't shed tears, however after forwarding your email to him, he really was saddened. I remember at a
Christmas dinner I had your Mom was the only one who could keep up with him; he is competative, but when it came to your mom
he listened...a rareity from him.
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Dear Roberto,
I am so sorry to hear this very sad news. Chiori was a radiant being, and I will always remember her generosity, her enthusiasm
for life, and her compassionate writing. I was her editor years ago, when she began freelancing to the Oakland Tribune. (I
remember you tagging along with her, once sleeping on my bed when she was at a party at my house.) We became friends, although
we had seen very little of each other in the last decade. I admired her greatly, not only as a writer, but as a very fine
human being.
My heart goes out to you and your family.
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My heart goes out to Chiori's friends and family. At times like these, there is nothing one can say that will provide
a perfect balm. I have known Chiori on and off since high school, this sad news really touches me deeply. To help me work
through my feelings I have put up a few photos some text and a poem at my photo site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greatwork/
If you have any photos you would like me to post and or some text I will be continuing on my blog:
http://vizshun.blogspot.com.
Please know that there are many folks like me who have known Chiori for ages we are all trying to figure out what to do
now. Now however is your time, do what you can to give each other comfort. Please be in touch when you can. Leave comments
at either site.
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I want to extend my sympathy but especially God's blessings to you and everyone who had the opportunity to have Chiori
in their life. I only saw her maybe once or twice a year, but I will never forget her and the wonderful times we had. I
know she would want us all to be cheerful as difficult as it is at this time. I have kept her in my prayers all through her
illness and I will continue to pray for your comfort and strength to bear this through God's precious
love.
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I want to express my sadness when I learned of Chiori's passing. We shared the bond of motherhood. We spoke with pride
of our children. My memory of Chiori: My daughter Christina and I visited after her choir practice on a Saturday and we would
share a cup of tea with a bite to eat. At the birthday celebrations for Chiori, Mari, Patti and Lorraine, there would be a
surprise where Christina and Ignacio at midnight would perform the Christina and Ignacio dance. It was the show.
Chiori had such a wonderful energy. I knew Chiori had many loves. One was she loved her garden. It brought her joy. I
saw her in February at the Oakland Interfaith Choir Crab Feed Fundraiser for the choir trip to Canada. She saw Christina and
Georgia Brown sing. There was a sient auction where I learned she loved the artist's work of Romare Bearden. She was a beautiful
being with a strong spirit. She illuminated a path for all who knew her. She was a survivor and I among many will miss her.
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Indra informed me this afternoon about this news and I am deeply saddened by it. I am glad that you all were able to be
with her during her time of passing. Your mother was an amazing woman as you noted so eloquently in this email. She contributed
so much to our work here at the museum with her
brilliant intelligence, insightfulness, depth of heart and soul and creativity. An incredibly compassionate person and
someone special I will never forget. She has taught me much and her memory will live on and continue to inspire us here and
me personally.
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Chiori was such a wonderful person, a bright light, really truly special. I worked with her at Metier, and she was the
first person to encourage me to write, which was a life-changing experience for me. I owe her a lot. I considered her a dear
friend even though we saw each other rarely. She was so radiant in her approach to life, an inspiration.
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Yoshiko, Chiori, Reiko and Teri were our neighbors in Berkeley in the 60's. We sat on the steps, and traded stories.
Once we saw a Vandenberg Air force "UFO" that sent delicious shivers through us. When the traffic-slowing barricade
was installed on the corner, we imitated police sirens when anyone went around it. We painted the dining room light green
to go with Yoshiko's brass collection. Once we took Chiori and Teri back-packing. Somewhere I have pictures of the two with
terribly heavy bedrolls strapped in odd ways to their little bodies. When we got married, Yoshiko gave us some of the heirlooms
that she had bought in Japan to replace those taken from her family when they were interned at Santa Anita during the war.
My first reaction to the news story in the San Jose Mercury was sadness, but it was immediately followed by joy to hear that
her life had been so full, so productive, and so happy.
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I met Chiori a few years ago as a writer for Nikkei heritage. Ellen Sawamura recommended that I contact her for an article
I was writing about a European trip with a group of veterans from the 442nd/100th Infantry Battalion. I only communicated
to her indirectly through email, telephone, and regular mail, but she had such a wonderful effect on me. She was so open,
interested, engaged, passionate, classy, creative, and kind. She was one of those extraordinary people whose life was an evolving
work of art. Someone who could examine her life, and alter it to suit her passions and interests. At the same time, she retained
a sense of groundedness, discipline and responsibility.
As a writer, she really knew how to work with writers. She edited my piece, Remembered Valor with a light skillful touch,
and her light and skillful touch managing me made me feel grateful and worthy. Chiori was an extraordinary human being and
I weep her passing. I know also, that I carry some Chiori-Spirit with me in my own life-as-art journey. The world is a more
hopeful place knowing her Spirit still lives among and in us.
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