Kuniko H. Burton's Obituary
At the age of 83, Kuniko died peacefully at home with her children surrounding her. After suffering for many years from scleroderma, the disease finally took her life on June 21, 2016.
Kuniko was born on March 25, 1933 in Ishinomaki, Japan. Her father was Moshichi Hiratsuka and her mother was Mashi Hiratsuka. She attended high school in Ishinomaki and became a seamstress.
In 1952 Kuniko met John Burton who was in the U.S. Army and on R&R in Japan; she was just 19 years old. Four years later they were married in Yokohama City, Japan, on September 14, 1956. Kuniko was 23 and John was 35. They were married for 56 years, until John’s death on June 26, 2012.
Army life took them to many places around the world, including Germany, Hawaii and finally Tacoma, Washington where they bought a house and raised their family. Kuniko and John had their first child, Barbara, on March 4, 1958. A second daughter, Sherry, was born on January 8, 1959 but died five days after childbirth. Their son Fernando was born on November 28, 1959.
A dedicated wife and mother, Kuniko spent her years caring for her family, including managing their finances and giving John a weekly allowance to spend at the casino! The family enjoyed many road trips seeing sights around the U.S., as well as camping and fishing.
Kuniko is survived by her daughter and full-time caregiver, Barbara Burton; her son Fernando (Mary) Burton; grandsons Colin Burton and Kramer Burton; sisters in Japan – Toshiko Abe and Masako Mutou, as well as many other relatives.
A private gathering of family and close friends will be held at a later date.
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