Clara Riu Judine Matsukuma Miyazaki

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Clara Riu Judine Matsukuma Miyazaki

April 28, 1927 ~ Sept. 15, 2020

Clara Riu Judine Matsukuma Miyazaki, 93, a long-time parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, passed away peacefully of natural causes on September 15, 2020.

Clara was born April 28, 1927 in Salt Lake City. She was the youngest daughter of Dr. Hisao Matsukuma, a surgeon and former diplomat; and Mitsuko Kuranaga Matsukuma, both descendants of the Japanese Imperial House. Shortly before WWII, her family returned to Japan. During the U.S. occupation, Clara, who was both a Japanese and a U.S. citizen, worked for the U.S. Air Force as a civilian employee, until she was repatriated to the United States.

Clara married Kiyoshi Miyazaki on Aug. 11, 1949. They had five children. Clara and Kiyoshi lived in Utah early in their marriage, and then moved to New York City, when Kiyoshi managed a chauffeur and limousine service. They remained in NYC until 1960, when her in-laws, wanting to retire, asked them to return to take over their hotel and dry cleaners. Though they raised their children Roman Catholic, Clara did not become Catholic until the 1980s. After long-time friend, Msgr. William H. McDougall baptized Clara, she became an active parishioner, first at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, then at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, until her health prohibited attending Mass a few years ago.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband Kiyoshi, her youngest son Keith, her father Dr. Hisao Matsukuma, mother Mitsuko Matsukuma, brother Bill Hisamichi Matsukuma, sister Midori Yukiko Tashiro, brother Richard Hisahide Matsukuma and daughter-in-law Debbie Miyazaki.

She is survived by her children Arline Saiki (Shinzo), Arthur Miyazaki Sr. (Jolene), Pauline “Tomi” Austin, Albert Miyazaki, daughter-in-law Yumi Miyazaki Summers; grandchildren Brandon Kiyoshi Austin, Monique Miyazaki, Tamie Saiki Calhoun (Mike), Arthur “A.J.” Miyazaki Jr. (Ashley), Dr. Julie Saiki (Johan Andreasson), Ryan Miyazaki, Ashley Miyazaki, Zachary Miyazaki; great-grandchildren Kira Johnson, Meadow and Callie Sainsbury, Cooper, Emma and Annie Austin, Lily Miyazaki. Legend Miyazaki, Gabriel, Naomi and Alexander Andreasson, Hana, Maiya and Asher Calhoun; and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and cousins in the U.S., Japan and Hong Kong.

A Mass of the Resurrection was scheduled for October 9 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish. Clara will be laid to rest with her husband in a private ceremony at Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any honoraria that will be used in observance of the Japanese custom of Okoden, and to make a donation in Clara’s name.