Alice Kikuye Konno (Poston 19-9-D) was born on November 2, 1940 in Kern County, California. She was the eldest of three children born to Japanese immigrant, Fred Susumu and Hanaye (Sekine) Konno, born in Hawaii.
On May 25, 1942, Alice and her parents were evacuated from Bakersfield, California to the Poston, Arizona internment camp block 19-9-D. A few months later, her baby brother, Kenichi Richard Konno was born on August 28, 1942 during the early months at Poston. After living three years in the Arizona desert, the Konno family left Poston and returned to Bakersfield on October 22, 1945. The following year, baby Sharon was born in 1946, however she died in San Francisco in 1949.
On May 25, 1942, Alice and her parents were evacuated from Bakersfield, California to the Poston, Arizona internment camp block 19-9-D. A few months later, her baby brother, Kenichi Richard Konno was born on August 28, 1942 during the early months at Poston. After living three years in the Arizona desert, the Konno family left Poston and returned to Bakersfield on October 22, 1945. The following year, baby Sharon was born in 1946, however she died in San Francisco in 1949.
Alice Konno received many awards in Art and Science and attended Bakersfield College. She earned a B.A. degree and a teaching credential from University of California, Los Angeles. Alice was in the 1960-1961 pledge class of the Asian sorority, the "Chi Alpha Delta" during the time she was working on her Master's degree and Administrative credentials at California State University, Los Angeles.
In 1964, Alice married James C. Cheng, and they had two children. She worked for 36 years with the Los Angeles Unified School District as an educator, instructional advisor, counselor, dean, and coordinator. She conducted educational workshops using the visual arts through teaching, and writing curriculum.
In 1964, Alice married James C. Cheng, and they had two children. She worked for 36 years with the Los Angeles Unified School District as an educator, instructional advisor, counselor, dean, and coordinator. She conducted educational workshops using the visual arts through teaching, and writing curriculum.
Alice Konno Cheng, died on October 5, 2009 in Pacific Palisades, California. She is preceded in death by her siblings, Kenichi Richard and her Sharon Kazuye, both who died in early childhood; and her parents, Hanaye (1962) and Fred Konno (1973).
She is survived by sons, Clark Richard (Kristine) Cheng and Robert James Cheng; cousin, Roy Sekine of Bakersfield, Joe Ono, Taeko Joanne (Ono) Iritani, and Takashi Ono.
Sources:
The Bakersfield Californian, October 9, 2009
The Los Angeles Times, October 8, 2009
http://www.chialphadeltaalumnae.com/sisters.html
