Chieko Clift

Chieko S. Clift, 89, of Sequim died February 16, 2014. She would have turned 90 on March 27.

Born in Hokkaido, Japan, she was the daughter of the late Jujiro and Hana Imai Saito and was the widow of Turner Hofmann Clift, who died in 1982.

She and her husband met in Tokyo in the 1950s. Before moving to Sequim in retirement, they had lived in Japan, Pennsylvania, and California.

Chieko had worked as a secretary before her marriage.

She took art classes during her years in Sequim and was talented in calligraphy. She was an avid reader and a skilled knitter. Family and friends benefited from her handiwork through her gifts of beautiful sweaters. Gardening was another of her interests, and she enjoyed growing both flowers and vegetables.

She is survived by two sisters, Michiko Wakasugi and Ayako Saito; sister-in-law, Hirosi Saito; and many nieces and nephews, all of Japan. She is also survived by her niece, Carol Main, in Pennsylvania and her family.

A celebration of Chieko’s life led by Pastor Jack Anderson will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, 925 N. Sequim Ave., Sequim, Where she was a member.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Chieko’s memory to the Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church or to the Salvation Army, donate.slavationarmy.org.