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SALT LAKE CITY — Chieko N. Okazaki, a former counselor in the general Relief Society presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Monday of congestive heart failure. She was 84 years old.
Sister Okazaki served as a counselor to General Relief Society President Elaine L. Jack from 1990 to 1997. Her appealing speaking style and cheerful enthusiasm made her a much sought-after speaker even after her term of service in the Relief Society.
An educator by profession, Sister Okazaki was the founder of The Children's Reading Foundation of Utah. She is also the author of several best-selling books, including "Cat's Cradle," "Lighten Up!" "Aloha," "Sanctuary," "Being Enough" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."
According to her son, Ken, a Salt Lake City attorney, "Mother meant a lot to a lot of other people. She had a way of treating everyone like they were special to her, and everyone felt special when they were with her. But my brother Bob and I always knew that, together with our dad, we were her highest priority."
Sister Okazaki and her late husband, Edward, were parents of two children and grandparents of four.
Funeral services are planned for Wednesday, Aug. 10.
Email: twalch@desnews.com
