Katherine Kyoko Shibuya Adair

Katherine Kyoko Shibuya Adair
They broke the mold when Kyoko Shibuya came into this world on September 3rd, 1931. Her amazing 90-year life drew to a close on October 29th, 2021 when heaven brought her home as an Angel.
Katherine Kyoko, known to most as “Kay”, was married to her one true love for 67 years. She leaves behind her loving husband Robert “Bob” Sydney Adair III, beautiful daughter Robin Sydney Adair McConkie-Ward and loving son Robert Sydney Adair IV along with their loving spouses Randall K. Ward and Susan Latimer Adair. Grandma Kay was also loved dearly by all of her grandchildren: Robert Reed McConkie, Rachell Kyoko McConkie Maupin, Robert Sydney Adair V, Brian Douglas Adair, Michael Steven Adair and Anthony Earl Adair. And had such love for her seven great grandchildren: Harley Jade Adair, Grayson Robert Adair, Lilly Ann McConkie, Robert Quinton McConkie, Mei Deborah Adair, Kenji Paul Maupin and Haruto Russel Maupin. What a legacy.
Born in Yokosuka Japan to Katsumi and Kiyo Shibuya, Katherine (then “Kyoko”) was a very active child who loved going to school and playing with her three younger brothers: Naoki, Takuhiko, and Masahiko.
One day in Japan she met a handsome American and her life would never be the same. Their story was that of Romeo and Juliet. The tale of a Beautiful Japanese Women falling for an American Soldier in Post-WWII Japan. Their love blossomed and would carry strong for nearly 7 decades.
The newlyweds lived an exciting life, moving from country-to-country with Bob’s military career and touring the world together. It was then they welcomed their first child, a daughter—Robin Sydney Adair—who came into the world with so many of her mother’s wonderful traits. Their family wasn’t yet complete and 9 years later, they were blessed with a wonderful son, Robert Sydney Adair IV, completing their family of four.
Katherine was very intelligent and always had skills with computers which she parlayed into a long career in the civil service. She would often brag about the size of some of her programs and reminisce about coding in Basic. In her retirement years, she shared her love of computers with her peers by teaching classes at the Sandy Senior Center.
Her LDS faith was a powerful guiding light and source of purpose in her life. She served as Relief Society President and completed four LDS missions: 2 in Tokyo and Kobe, Japan as well as 2 locally at the Jordan River and Draper, Utah Temples.
In their retirement, Kay and Bob moved to Sandy, Utah to be closer to their children and grandchildren. In the 30 years since, they have lived lives rich with deep friendships, such as the Johnsons next door and their many friends at the senior center.
Anyone who has visited her will remember her ‘green thumb’ with her garden and beautiful flowers, particularly her prized roses and hydrangea. She was also known for her sharp wit and sense of humor. She was always quick to give compliments, and also catch you with what she called “a good zinger”. Sometimes even getting you with a zinger while giving you a compliment. Her brilliant mind loved a good challenge and any visit to her home would almost always turn up a large jigsaw puzzle in progress.
The Sandy Senior Center was an integral part of Kay’s life. Her countless hours of volunteering and teaching computer classes there resulted in her being elected president of the organization in the last years of her life. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor her legacy, please consider making a contribution to the Sandy Senior Center so that they may carry on her work. You can make donations directly to the center or to her grandchildren Rachell McConkie or Robert McConkie, who will collect and bring donations to the center on your behalf.
For now, we say goodbye and thank you to this beautiful woman who gave us so much over the course of her life. We know that she is watching over Bob and the rest of us. Heaven has gained an angel and we have all gained a guardian.
Rest in beautiful peace, Katherine Kyoko Shibuya Adair.
A viewing will take place Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at Larkin Sunset Gardens located at 1950 E Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, Utah from 6:30 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at Larkin Sunset Gardens at 12:00 P.M.