Nobuco Rose Niguma

Rose Nobuco Niguma, age 99, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014, quietly in her sleep.  She lived a long life, outliving her brothers, George and Kay, and sister, Marie Uchida.

Rose was born April 14, 1915, in Hood River.  She lived in Portland most of her life, except for the time she spent in the Minidoka Concentration Camp in Idaho for over three years.  She never got over the negative experience and often spoke bitterly about what happened to her and other Japanese American citizens.

"My mother, Chikano Shioshi Niguma, came to Portland at age 19 and loved it here ever since.  While we were interned at the Minidoka Concentration Camp in Idaho, we felt imprisoned among the sandstorms, tumbling sagebrush, rattlesnakes, ticks, howling winds, and yelping coyotes at night.  Roses did not survive in that climate.  Upon our release, I suggested we go to New York, but my mother said, 'I want to go back to Portland and die there.'  I headed back to Portland on the train and tears ran down my cheeks as I noticed and recognized the landmarks: the towering fir trees, Mount Hood and home.  My mother lived in Portland the rest of her life."

Rose attended the Portland Art Museum School prior to being sent to Minidoka.  At age 64, she returned and completed her degree with a major in painting from The Art Museum School.  Rose continued to paint in her studio until age 88.  Having a studio near LaVerne Krause and other artists, Rose became very good friends with many artists and enjoyed their company.

In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to Ikoi No Kai or Epworth United Methodist Church.  There will be a public celebration of her life at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at Epworth, 1333 S.E. 28th Avenue, Portland.