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Elizabeth Hughes Yamaguchi

Elizabeth Hughes Yamaguchi, 80, after battling lung cancer and severe osteoporosis, departed on Monday afternoon, August 18, 2008, from the home of neighbor/caregiver Carol Beutler and is now at her late husband’s side and with the Lord.

She was born on May 30, 1928, to Gertrude and Walter Hughes, the second of four daughters. Affectionately known as “Betty,” she grew up in Fallbrook and graduated from Fallbrook High School with her sisters.

She attended UCLA, where she met her late husband, Dr. Shogo Yamaguchi. They were married in 1953 and moved to Davis, CA, where Shogo did research for UCD and together they raised a family of three children: two boys and a girl.

In 1966, they moved to Tuskegee, AL, where Dr. Yamaguchi was teaching graduate students. She transferred her credits from UCLA to Tuskegee University and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in 1978, then went on to receive her Master’s in history from Auburn University.

She was active in local politics in Tuskegee, attending city and county government meetings, and she was instrumental researching Bartram’s trail, which was developed through the Tuskegee National Forest.

She worked on Tuskegee University’s campus doing research for the Carver Museum, then researching federal grants for university funding. She and Shogo made some lifelong friends there who still keep in touch with the family.

When Shogo retired in 1981, they moved back to the Hughes Ranch in Fallbrook to help care for her aging parents, creating an apartment out of her father’s rock shop (a converted garage). Liz turned her efforts to assisting the Fallbrook Historical Society and attending the North San Diego county government meetings on historical and conservation issues.

When the Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society moved to their current location on Alvarado Street, Liz went with them (her parents were founding members). She volunteered in the office and gift shop and was serving as secretary before her health failed.

She helped develop the Village Square and the bricks in the square around the fountain bear the family names. She also left her mark on Oceanside Pier, which has the family names inscribed on its railing.

She is survived by her children, Nichola (Niki) Y. Long, Matthew Yamaguchi (who now lives on the Hughes Ranch) and Todd Yamaguchi.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 29, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Fallbrook. Burial will be Saturday, August 30, at 10 a.m. at Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery.

Berry-Bell & Hall Mortuary is handling arrangements.

 

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