Obituary of Origa Sumiye Jordan

Ms. Olga S. Jordan passed away peacefully with family by her side on December 25, 2022, in Tucson, Arizona, after a brief illness. 

 

Ms. Jordan was born to Wataru and Yoshie Takahashi on July 19, 1928, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. There she attended a Japanese and English school to excel in both languages. Upon the early passing of her father, the family moved back to Japan pre-World War II. Ms. Jordan spent her formative years in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, and on the Izumi Fukushima Farm. She was dedicated to acts of service throughout her life. Ms. Jordan sewed coats from scrapped army blankets for returning soldiers, performed language interpretation and clerical work for the U.S. Military, and ultimately ran a radio program during the Korean War. Following the war, she moved to Tucson, Arizona, where she raised her family and spent time serving the city. She became a proud Naturalized U.S. Citizen on December 3, 1962. After many years of loyal service, Ms. Jordan retired from the City of Tucson in 1992. 

 

Ms. Jordan is survived by her sister, Tetsko “Grace” Konno; her best friend of over fifty years Gin Echizenya “Ginny” Mitchell; her children, Donna O. Tobias (Ed) and Robin E. Williams; Grandchildren, Jennifer L. Soto (Mario Jr.), Christy A. Sain (Trent), Michael B. Marsh (Mary), Sarah E. Baldwin (Charlie) and Jonathan A. Williams; and Great-Grandchildren Cydney-Nichole S. Marsh, Mario “Bubba” A. Soto III, Kayla L. Varner, Jacob A. Varner (Angela), Stephanie “Cha-cha” L. Soto (USMC), Roman G. Marsh, Maximiliano “Max” Marsh, Antonio “Tony” A. Cota-Marsh, Audrey Y. Marsh, Brock A. Marsh, Henry “Taki” T. Baldwin. 

 

Ms. Jordan was preceded in death by her father, Wataru Takahashi; her mother, Yoshie B. Takahashi (Izumi); her sisters, Mitsuko “Ruth” Onuma and Noriko “Cathy” Sasaki; and her brother, Koresumi “Harry” Takahashi. 

 

Ms. Jordan took great pride in her family as a devoted and loving Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother. She was never without one or more of them in tow. Her heart was always in Japan with her siblings, nieces, and nephew. She was an extraordinary cook who honored her Japanese heritage through her food and instilled these values in her family daily. She was an avid Arizona Wildcat fan, a competitive bowler, and passionate about the arts of ceramics, painting, textiles, and gardening. She loved the beach, making people laugh, and cuddling with her dogs (Hatchi and Kenta). She liked a good hamburger and, last but not least, Elvis Presley. Ms. Jordan was, and through her honored legacy, will continue to be her family’s pillar matriarch. Ms. Jordan will be forever missed.

 

Celebration of Life

A celebration of Ms. Olga S. Jordan’s life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 2 PM at 

Avalon Chapel 8090 N. Northern Ave Oro Valley, AZ 85704  Reception to follow.

 

 

 

Donations in Memorium 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Origa “Olga” Sumiye Jordan’s Memory may be planted throughout the city she loved at the following locations: 

 

Tohono Chul Gardens

7366 N. Paseo Del Norte

Tucson, AZ 85704

 

https://tohonochul.org/support/make-your-gift/ 

Select Memorial & Honorarium Gifts “Yes” and “In Memory” of 

First Name: Origa “Olga” Sumiye 

Last Name: Takahashi Jordan

*Tohono Chul Gardens will consolidate all gifts given in Ms. Olga S. Jordan’s honor for a tremendous memorial tribute.*

 

Alternate Donation Options

 

Tucson Botanical Gardens

2150 N Alvernon Way

Tucson, AZ 85712

Select “In Memory of”

First Name: Origa “Olga” Sumiye 

Last Name: Takahashi Jordan

https://tucsonbotanical.org/donate/tribute-or-memorial/ 

 

Desert Museum 

2021 N Kinney Rd

Tucson, AZ 85743

Designation: “Botany & Garden Support” for plants, or another option of your choice.

Select Tribute: “In Memory of Origa “Olga” Sumiye Takahashi Jordan”

https://www.desertmuseum.org/support/ongoing/donate.php 

 

Friends of Catalina State Park

11570 N. Oracle Road

Tucson, AZ  85737

Additional Information In Memory of: “Origa “Olga” Sumiye Takahashi Jordan”

https://friendscsp.org/tributes-and-memorials/ 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Origa Jordan, please visit Tribute Store