Ms. Amy E. Fujimura had been a long-term member of the Ikebana International Rochester Chapter 53. Her obituary was written by a long-time friend, Ms. Karen Napoli.
It is with fond memories that I speak briefly about a friend of Ikebana International, Amy Fujimura. Amy became a member of the Rochester Chapter of Ikebana International in 1982 and served twice as President. Amy was active as an Ohara teacher and demonstrator, always promoting the art and I.I. Amy joined our 60th Anniversary Celebration with our chapter in October 2021.
As a friend and lady she was always smiling and positive. Amy’s character reflected her deep Christian faith. Amy was my first contact with I.I. in 1996 here in Rochester. She warmly brought me in and made introductions. Yasuko Spence said; “She was the first lady I met when I came to live in Rochester from Syracuse 1978. We had a very nice friendship and we had a Japan Show at the Perinton Mall with some demonstrations, exhibitions, including Tea Ceremony, Japanese Calligraphy, making Japanese dolls wearing Kimono (Ichimatsu Ningyo), and Ikebana.” Amy always welcomed new people and worked with them.
Amy Yamaguchi, along with her sister and 2 brothers were born in California to a family of farmers. At age 14, Amy and family (1942) were forced into an internment camp in California and later moved to Arizona. After the internment they were sent to Colorado where Amy graduated from high school. Eventually the family moved back to California where Amy met William Shoso Fujimura and married.
Shortly after marriage they drove cross country to Rochester, NY. They had 2 sons, Mark Hideo and Robert Kiyoshi who they raised in Fairport, NY. Amy’s passion for education led her from a Business degree in California to a Master’s degree in English as a second language from Nazareth University.
Her teaching career was in the Fairport Central School District. She volunteered and was very active in the community. She played bridge regularly, taught Ohara Ikebana, she completed the Sheriff’s Senior Citizen Academy and received a Presidential Sports Award from President Ford. Her husband William and her were avid travelers and truly enjoyed life. At the end, Amy said, “I’m in a good place.”
Amy was an asset to the Japanese culture here in Rochester but mainly she was an ambassador of people. Amy Fujimura will be greatly missed. July 4, 1928 – December 13, 2024