Minnie Mayebo was born in Selma, California on January 21, 1919 to Japanese immigrants, Masato and Ayako (Matsuda) Mayebo. Minnie Mayebo married Gene Isao Sogioka, who was born on December 21, 1914 in Azuza, California to Japanese immigrants, Sadakichi and Setsu Sogioka.
Baby Akemi Cecile, was born a month following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Minnie, Gene and their new baby moved from their home in Baldwin Park to Sanger, and evacuated with their families to war time living quarters in the desert at the Poston, Arizona internment camp 2 on July 14, 1942. Her parents, Masato and Ayako and her brother, Raymond Gene Mayebo were assigned to Poston block 222-2-A. They left for Colorado and resettled in New York. Gene's parents, Sadakichi and Setsu and his brother, Mutsushi Sogioka were evacuated from Sanger, and assigned to Poston block 221-10-D.
Gene Isao Sogioka was a watercolor artist who painted scenes of daily life in Poston. On January 4, 1944, Minnie, Gene and their daughter, left Poston, Arizona and departed on a train at Parker, Arizona bound for New York. Minnie's brother, Gene Mayebo, found outside employment in Keenesburg, Colorado and departed from Poston on June 4, 1944. Gene's brother, Mutsushi Sogioka found employment in Bridgeton, New Jersey, and left Poston on August 8, 1944. Minnie's parents, Masato and Ayako Mayebo, departed from Poston on August 15, 1945 and resettled in Selma, California. Gene's parents, Sadakichi and Setsu Sogioka, finally departed from Poston on September 19, 1945 and returned to Baldwin Park, California.
Minnie worked for many years as a cost estimator for Sealectro Corporation, of Mamaroneck, New York. During her retirement, Minnie donated her time as a Hospice volunteer.
Minnie Sogioka, a resident of Larchmont, New York, died on March 27, 2005 in Stuart, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Isao Sogioka (Feb. 21, 1914 - Dec. 21, 1988); and brother, Hiroshi "Tom" Mayebo (Aug. 31, 1915-July 16, 1967 in Fresno County, California).
She is survived by her daughter, Cecile (David) Ralph of Gardiner, NY, and Stuart, FL; Jean (James LaSpina) of Tequesta, FL; Alyce (Bruce) Conklin of New Paltz, NY; and brother, Gene Mayebo.
She is survived by her daughter, Cecile (David) Ralph of Gardiner, NY, and Stuart, FL; Jean (James LaSpina) of Tequesta, FL; Alyce (Bruce) Conklin of New Paltz, NY; and brother, Gene Mayebo.
Primary source: http://larchmontgazette.com/obituaries/20050401sogioka.html
