Iris Kobayashi Fresquez

Iris Hideko Kobayashi Fresquez Born Nov 8, 1925 was lifted from this life early morning on Dec 8, 2021.  She was an extraordinarily kind and compassionate woman with a delightful sense of humor, and the ability to say things to make those around her laugh and smile, even up to the day before she died. She never failed to thank everyone around her who did even the smallest thing for her or others. Her long life had twists and turns that would have destroyed a less faithful and strong person. She was born in Stockton, CA to Shigekata Kobayashi and Lily Terasawa Kobayashi, the eldest of 4 children. Her family nickname was “Ike”, and letters to her from them always started with “Dear Ike”. Her father built a successful agricultural business and a beautiful home in Stockton, CA where Iris grew up.  She was 16 yrs on Pearl Harbor Day, Dec.7, 1941. Not long after that date, the entire family was taken and placed in a Japanese Relocation Camp and forced to live for months in a train car at the Stockton, CA railyard. Later they were transported to an internment camp in Arkansas for the duration of WWII.   Her family lost everything in that horrible chapter, but Iris never was bitter. After the war she went to college, and then founded and taught at a school for Navajo children on the Diné Reservation near Tuba City, AZ. That was where she met Jose Benito “Bennie” Fresquez, her true love. He was born in Chamisal and taught math in Chamisal, Penasco and later retired in Taos.  They were married 52 years, and bought their home in Taos in 1966.  Her maternal grandfather was an Episcopal Priest and Iris was a lifelong Episcopalian. Iris, as a member of St. James Episcopal Church, Taos, was active in all the church’s many ministries including the food pantry, the Holiday Bazaar, the rummage sales, pastoral care, and she served many years in the Altar Guild, even making hand stitched linens for the Altar. Following in her father’s footsteps she and Bennie were avid gardeners and especially loved irises, which filled her yard. Iris worked for over 25 years for Dr. Herb Rachelson as his medical transcriber.  After her retirement, her co-worker and dear friend she met at Dr. Rachelson’s, Lorella Salazar, helped Iris with cooking, baking and bookkeeping, taking her to appointments and visiting her daily, especially after Iris’s move to Taos Living Center because of declining health. Iris was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bennie in 2006, her mother and father, and brother Dr. Nelson Kobayashi of San Francisco, and her younger sister Frances Kiyota of Brighton, CO.  She is survived by her brother Richard Kobayashi of Denver and his wife Jeannie, and brother-in- law James Kiyota and nephew, Keith Kiyota, her dear friend and guardian angel Lorella Salazar; special friends Sue Lawrence and her daughters, Elena, Mary and Amanda Bissell, Stacy Quinn; Marcie Brown Sweet, Elvira and Jesse Martinez, and members of Bennie’s family in Penasco area, and many, many friends. Iris was stricken with Covid in 2020, but her survival was obvious when, as her breakfast was brought a few days later to her at the Taos Living Center, she was asked “how are you, Iris?” Her reply was “I’m fine but I’d be better if I had bacon!”  Many thanks go to the kind and loving staff at Taos Living Center, where Iris was in their caring hands.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at St. James Episcopal Church 208 Camino del Santiago, Taos, NM. Masks and social distancing are required at the church. A lunch at Mondo Italiano will follow, but if you wish to attend, please RSVP to Mondo Italiano at 575-758-1329 by Thursday, Dec 17. Memorials can be made to St. James Episcopal Church, Taos, NM. Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home.  To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com