Toshiko S. Grummon's Obituary
Toshiko Sekiya Grummon
1955 – 2026
Toshiko Sekiya Grummon, 71, long time resident of Irvine, California, and later Ewa Beach, Hawaii, passed away peacefully at home with loved ones on Friday, July 3, after a courageous 3-month battle with cancer.
Toshiko was born February 25, 1955, in Chiba, Japan. She was raised on a farm outside of Yachimata, Japan. Toshiko became a shipping manifest typist at Shibusawa Warehouse in Chiba, Japan, during which time she met James Grummon, then U. S. Navy, in July 1977. In addition to her warehouse job, Toshiko was accomplished in Japanese flower arrangement, Ikebana (Sogetsu Sankyu Shihan) and Aikido martial arts (Shodan, first degree black belt). Four years later, in April, 1981, Toshiko and James Grummon were married in Cochise County Courthouse, Bisbee, Arizona.
Toshiko loved children and earned an Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education: Child Development, Cum Laude, degree from Irvine Valley College, Irvine, California, in 2006.
For 20 years, Toshiko worked as an Instructional Assistant, Kindergarten, at College Park Elementary, in Irvine, California, retiring in 2019.
At 65 years of age, Toshiko earned a Bachelor of Arts, Japanese, Cum Laude, degree from California State University Fullerton, in 2021.
After moving to Hawaii in 2021, Toshiko left retirement and returned to teaching Phonics, Grades 1 and 2, at Ewa Elementary in Ewa Beach Hawaii, a position she kept even after learning of her cancer diagnosis March 30, this year. Toshiko loved and was loved by all the children she taught, parents, as well as school staff in both California and Hawaii.
In 2008, at 53 years of age, Toshiko and her daughter Amanda climbed sacred Mt. Fuji (12,389 feet), Japan, all the way to the top. A real accomplishment at that age! She remained an avid walker of 2 ½ miles a day until her diagnosis.
Toshiko had a real passion for cooking, as attested by her friends, neighbors, co-workers, and husband’s co-worker’s, including cuisines from all over the world: Japanese, American, Mexican, and Middle Eastern. Toshiko was especially known for her two baking specialties: Lit’l Smokies kolaches and Tsubushi sweet bean manju. Toshiko loved shopping with her husband, James, and were a common sight in many Southern California and Oahu stores, well known as a very close couple.
Toshiko was thrilled to be able to attend her son Joey’s graduation from Honolulu Community College on May 15, 2026, Waikiki Shell, albeit by wheelchair. She was escorted to the front row.
She was fortunate to be able to live in her lifelong dream home in Hawaii for five stress free years.
Toshiko is survived by husband James Grummon, Ewa Beach, Hawaii, daughter, Amanda Grummon, Montrose, California, and son, Joseph (Joey) Grummon, Ewa Beach, Hawaii, two grandchildren by Amanda, Margaux, 11, and Oliver, 8, both of Montrose, California, and sister Keiko Sekiya, nephew Katsutoshi Sekiya, grandniece Airi Sekiya, all of Yachimata, Japan. Toshiko was preceded in death by her father Yoshitoshi Sekiya and mother Sumie [Saito] Sekiya.
Services to be held at Mililani Mortuary Makai Chapel September 19, 2026
Visitation: 5:30 PM
Services: 6:00 PM
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