Irene Ayame Yafuso's Obituary
Irene Yafuso Obituary
Irene A. Yafuso, passed peacefully on August 5, 2025. She was a dear mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend to many.
She was born to Ushinosuke and Dorothy Takara on August 26, 1932 in Honolulu, Hawaii. She grew up in Kalihi as the oldest sister to Edwin (Tamo), Melvyn (Mel), and Lawrence (Tashi). She attended Fern Elementary, Kalakaua Intermediate and Farrington High School where she graduated in 1950. Her early days were spent working at her parent’s restaurant, Lucky Spot, where she would eventually meet her future husband. She also worked in the evenings as a carhop at her auntie’s restaurant, Capitol Drive In. She would often proudly proclaim to her family that back in her younger days, she could hold many more plates and cups, as she watched the wait staff while dining out.
She married Larry Mitsuo Yafuso on August 31, 1957. In the mid ‘60s, they started a successful business together, Larry’s Waiau Bakery, while raising their three children, Keith, Lance and Iris. Irene loved to cook and always welcomed family and friends into their home. The Yafuso house was the gathering place for many celebrations. After Larry’s passing in 1979, Irene continued to run the business with her children. They were known for their cinnamon bread, sweet potato manju, white chantilly cake and many other delicious pastries, cakes and pies all made from scratch. In later years, she worked alongside some of her grandchildren who were impressed by how quickly she could frost a cake and how many sheet pans she could carry. She worked long hours, often 7 days a week until the age of 84 and the bakery’s closing in 2017.
After her retirement, she enjoyed doing puzzles, word find, playing cards and games with her family. In recent years she enjoyed watching her great grandchildren play and grow. She was thankful to be surrounded by the love and support of family and friends. She will forever be remembered for her strength, love, kindness, and warm smile.
She is survived by her children, Keith (Lori), Lance (Leslie), and Iris (David) Toguchi; grandchildren, Alyssa, Cody (Adriene), Tyler, Bryce, Jody, and Cuyler; three great-grandchildren; brother Edwin Tamotsu Takara and sister-in-law Eleanor Takara.
Memorial Service to be held at Mililani Mortuary - Mauka Chapel on Wednesday September 24, 2025. Visitation begins at 5:30pm and service at 6:30pm. The family requests no flowers.
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