Chieko N. Okazaki, American Mormon women's leader, first non-Caucasian woman to hold a senior position in the LDS church, died from heart failure he was , 84.

Chieko Nishimura Okazaki

(October 21, 1926 – August 1, 2011)

 was the first counselor to Elaine L. Jack in the Relief Society general presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1990 to 1997. She was the first non-Caucasian woman to serve as a member of the general presidency in one of the LDS Church's auxiliary organizations.^[1]
Okazaki was born and raised in Hawaii as a Buddhist, the daughter of Hawaii-born Japanese. At the age of fifteen she converted to the LDS Church. She married Edward Y. Okazaki, and they had two sons. By profession she was an educator and taught in Hawaii, Utah, and Colorado, and was also an elementary school principal. Edward Okazaki served in the United States Army during World War II. ^[2]
In 1961 Okazaki was appointed to the YWMIA board in the LDS Church and was the first non-Caucasian to serve in this position.^[1] From 1968 to 1971 she served with her husband as he served as the first president of the Japan–Okinawa Mission of the church and then the Japan Central Mission after the Japan–Okinawa Mission was split.^[3] The Japan Central Mission was based in Kobe.^[4]
In 1990, Okazaki was called to be the first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency. In that position, she became one of the first LDS Church leaders to address in a church setting the topic of sexual abuse.^[1]
Okazaki served as a member of the Southern Virginia University board of trustees.^[5] She was a frequent speaker at Brigham Young University's women's conference and other events sponsored by the LDS Church or organizations owned by the LDS Church. She wrote several books, most of which are geared to an audience of Latter-day Saint women.
Okazaki died of congestive heart failure in Salt Lake City, Utah, aged 84.^[1][6]

Publications

• Okazaki, Chieko N. (November 1991), "Rejoice in Every Good Thing", Ensign
• —— (1992), The Power of Charity, Shadow Mountain recording, ISBN 978-0-87579-644-4
• —— (May 1992), "Spit and Mud and Kigatsuku", Ensign
• —— (1993), Lighten Up!, Deseret Book, ISBN 978-0-87579-668-0
• —— (May 1993), "Cat's Cradle of Kindness", Ensign
• —— (1993), Healing from Sexual Abuse, Deseret Book recording, ISBN 978-0-87579-742-7
• —— (1993), Valuing People: Six Lessons in Leadership, Deseret Book recording, ISBN 978-0-87579-749-6
• —— (November 1993), "Strength in the Savior", Ensign
• —— (1993), Christmas Presence, Deseret Book recording, ISBN 978-0-87579-808-0
• —— (1994), Cat's Cradle, Bookcraft, ISBN 978-0-88494-904-6
• —— (1994), Shared Motherhood, Bookcraft, ISBN 978-0-88494-932-9
• —— (November 1994), "Rowing Your Boat", Ensign
• —— (1995), Aloha!, Deseret Book, ISBN 978-0-87579-979-7
• —— (November 1995), "A Living Network", Ensign
• —— (May 1996), "Baskets and Bottles", Ensign
• —— (November 1996), "Raised in Hope", Ensign
• —— (1997), Sanctuary, Deseret Book, ISBN 978-1-57345-154-3
• —— (1998), Disciples, Shadow Mountain, ISBN 978-1-57345-413-1
• —— (2002), Being Enough, Bookcraft, ISBN 978-1-57008-876-6
• —— (2004), Stars: Reflections on Christmas, Shadow Mountain, ISBN 978-1-59038-353-7
• —— (2008), What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Deseret Book, ISBN 978-1-59038-855-6

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