05/22/2026
The Pacoima Historical Society mourns the passing of Kyoko Nancy Oda, a beloved educator, activist, and pillar of the San Fernando Valley Japanese American community. A tireless advocate for remembering Tule Lake and Tuna Canyon, she turned her family’s incarceration story into a lifelong mission for justice and public history.
For more than forty years, Kyoko was a pillar of the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center (SFVJACC), eventually serving as president of its board and continuing as an officer long after her term ended. Under her leadership, the Center grew into a home for nearly one thousand families, a gathering place where culture, memory, and community life could flourish in the Valley.
Her generous guidance and support for our Phase 2 historic timeline of the SFV helped ensure that Japanese American stories hold their rightful place in the history of the Valley. We honor Kyoko’s courage, humility, and lifelong service—and will carry her legacy forward in the work we do.
Kyoko passed away on May 14, 2026, at the age of 80, leaving behind a grieving Nikkei community and countless students, colleagues, and friends who were shaped by her example. Her life was an example of quiet courage, tireless service, and a fierce commitment to memory and justice, and the Pacoima Historical Society is deeply honored to have been among the many communities she so generously supported.
Pacoima Historical Society
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