Hannah Kepford

Hannah Ayame Fukaye was born in Los Angeles on May 28th, 1926. She and her sisters, Marian, Edith, Louise, and brother Al grew up in Boyle Heights. Her mother, Masako, had a fruit stand that Hannah and her sisters enjoyed helping her with. The family was sent to a Japanese internment camp in Arizona during WWII. Although her family lost everything that they could not carry onto the train and were confined to camp until the end of the war, Hannah never complained about her experience there. She was very proud that her father, Kamezo Fukaye, helped build the High School she attended while in camp. After the war Hannah found work cleaning homes. She eventually signed up for a civil service job working for the US Government in Japan. She performed clerical work for the USAF Chaplain’s office. Hannah met James R. Kepford, who was stationed in Japan by the USAF and also assigned to work in the Chaplain's office. They would later marry and start a family in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After the birth of her second son, Hannah visited a friend in Santa Barbara. She was overwhelmed by the beauty here, and in 1960 the Kepford family relocated to Santa Barbara. Hannah’s exceptional gardening skills, creativity, and hard work made for a beautifully landscaped home on the Mesa. In the late 1970’s, divorce compelled Hannah to return to the workforce and begin her 40 year career as a Medical Transcriptionist. She worked as hard and as long as she could while also providing continued support for her children and grandchildren. In her free time, Hannah enjoyed oil painting. She was very good at it and her children will always cherish her paintings. Hannah’s strong work ethic, selflessness, and closeness with God have been constants throughout her life. Hannah passed away on September 9th, 2020 and is survived by her children: Dana Mark Kepford, Tim Kepford (wife Kim Lien), and Michelle Kepford (husband Scott Grossman). Grandchildren: Steve Melero (wife Megan), David Ibarra (wife Sahar), Parker Kepford, and Maya Kepford. Great-Grandchildren: Stevie Melero and Cruz Melero. May Hannah Rest In Peace with God by her side.