Kayoko H Jackson

Kayoko Kitagawa Jackson
August 26, 1945 – August 1, 2026

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Kayoko Kitagawa Jackson, who passed away peacefully on August 1, 2026, at the age of 80. Kayoko lived a life marked by compassion, gentle humor, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to her family. Her legacy of love will continue for generations and remain forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Kayoko was born on August 26, 1945, in Toba, Japan, to Toyosaburo Kitagawa and Kusue Kitagawa. She spent her childhood in Japan, where she developed the resilience, kindness, and deep devotion to family that would guide her throughout her life.

As a young woman, she married Michael Hardman in Japan. When Michael was later deployed to Naval Base San Diego, Kayoko was expecting their first child and was too far along in her pregnancy to travel. She remained in Japan during this time and gave birth to their daughter, Marry, at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Sasebo. Not long after, she made the long journey to the United States to reunite with her husband and begin a new chapter of her life.

Her first trip to America was unforgettable. Traveling aboard a Navy cargo plane, she arrived in Alaska carrying her newborn daughter in a simple cardboard box that served as a makeshift bassinet before continuing on to San Diego. This remarkable journey marked the beginning of her life in a new country, one she embraced with courage, resilience, and determination. Michael and Kayoko were married for sixteen years and together raised their family.

On August 20, 1988, Kayoko married Dennis O. Jackson. Together, they built a life centered on love, family, and caring for others. They shared nearly thirty-eight years of marriage, just nineteen days shy of their thirty-eighth wedding anniversary. In their home, family always came first, and Kayoko’s gentle presence brought warmth, comfort, and peace to everyone who entered.

Though tiny in stature, Kayoko’s heart knew no limits. She expressed her love through quiet acts of kindness, thoughtful gestures, and a lifetime of caring for others. Whether they were her own grandchildren, children she babysat, or friends of her grandchildren, they all came to know her simply as “Grandma.” She welcomed every child with warmth, patience, and unconditional love, making each one feel as though they belonged.

She was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Damian Hardman, and her cherished companion, Mimi.

She is survived by her loving husband, Dennis O. Jackson; her children, Marry (Jorge) Ramirez, Mark (Susan) Hardman, Matt (Jo) Hardman, Todd (Vivian) Jackson, and Anne Jackson; her beloved grandchildren, Andrew; Nick (Stephanie); Blake (Dillon); Skyler, who was lovingly raised by Marry; Shay (Caleb); Anthony; Eysha; Joshua; Parker (Shayla); Mason (Emma); Chelsey (Erik); Chaney (Doran); Chad (Breannea); and Chesten (Kelsey); her cherished great-grandchildren; the many children who lovingly knew her simply as “Grandma”; and her faithful companion, Mika, who remained by her side.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses, therapists, and staff at Utah Valley Hospital and Bristol Hospice for the compassionate care they provided during Kayoko’s final journey.

A Celebration of Life honoring Kayoko will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Rasmussen Mortuary, 96 North 100 West, Mount Pleasant, Utah. Family and friends are invited to join in remembering and celebrating the love, kindness, and legacy she leaves behind.

In honor of Kayoko, the family invites guests to come dressed casually. She was happiest in her Levi’s, and we know she would want everyone to feel comfortable as they gather to celebrate her life.

Kayoko’s legacy is measured not by the years she lived, but by the love she gave so freely, the family she cherished, and the countless lives she touched with her gentle heart. Though she is no longer with us, the kindness she shared and the love she poured into others will continue to live on in every life she helped shape. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.