Mas and Ida Kawaguchi. Photo by Bob Kozak

The 54th annual “Golden Gateway to Gems,” held by the San Francisco Gem and Mineral Society on Aug. 2 and 3 at the San Francisco County Fair Building, was dedicated to the memory of Ida Kawaguchi, who passed away on June 23.

Born in Fowler in 1925, Kawaguchi worked as a registered nurse at many hospitals. She is survived by her husband, Masaru, three children, and a brother, among others. A celebration of her life was held July 19 at Pine United Methodist Church, where she was very active.

“For many years, Ida, together with her husband, Mas, were loyal and giving supporters of our society, and especially our annual show,” the SFGMS said in a statement. “Many will recall Ida’s smiling face and cheerful welcome as she supervised the Information Desk.”

The July/August issue of the SFGMS newsletter, Mineralog, included a tribute to the couple, written by President Bob Kozak prior to Mrs. Kawaguchi’s passing. The article, titled “The Gift of Giving,” reads, in part:

“Individuals like Ida and Mas Kawaguchi epitomize the volunteer angels that respond to the call for help no matter what the activity.

“During this past April’s spring clean-up, you could find Ida on a ladder cleaning the Polishing Room windows inside and out, while Mas was making the museum windows sparkle.

“No matter what the occasion, Ida and Mas come early to help with the set-up for dinners, auctions, and the huge job of our annual show set-up.

“Ida has been a member of the Show Committee and organized the information booth telling visitors about our club and how they could join.

“Ida and Mas also support the club in their active participation in classes, being regulars on Friday nights, keeping the atmosphere lively and asking lots of questions of the instructors while enjoying silver work, lapidary, enameling and sphere-making.

“They also took advantage of the many federation (California Federation of Mineralogical Societies) activities and participated in Camp Paradise and Zzyzx workshops, learning wire-wrapping, bead-stringing, chain- and pendant-making, and working with dichroic glass.

“Their enthusiasm has always made it enjoyable for others to participate more. It is evident that they passed on their passion to their next generation since Mari, their daughter, has taken a faceting class (and) done lapidary ...

“Ida and her family are great examples of giving, sharing and participation. Through these activities they provide enrichment for themselves, the people they touch and institutions that will live on beyond any of us. Thank you, Ida and Mas Kawaguchi, for all your generous support to our club.”