Greetings, family and friends!
Ame Kobayashi will turn 100 years old on November 15, 2021. This webpage is our way of commemorating and celebrating this amazing day with her and all of you. We ask that you please don’t send any gifts but instead simply join us in wishing her well, perhaps leave a greeting on the page below, and take a moment to reflect with us on her long and remarkable life.
After having decided to live for the past few years at Sakura Gardens in Los Angeles (formerly Keiro), Ame is now living with her daughter Betsy in Rosemead. Physically she is doing remarkably well for her age, but unfortunately she suffers from dementia which has affected her memory and cognition. She is still very mobile and has a good appetite, but her recall is poor and she is sometimes confused about her surroundings. Betsy is able to provide her with supportive personal care to ensure she is safe and comfortable.
Once again, thank you for joining us in a celebration of her ongoing life, she would want to say thank you for thinking about her and she sends her fondest greetings to all.
Ame’s Story
Ame Hamada was born on November 15, 1921, in American Falls, Idaho. Her parents, Junji and Kuniko Hamada, named her ‘Ame’ after the first three letters in American Falls. She was the fourth of six children, and grew up in a farming community where she attended school, worked in the fields, swam in the canals, and enjoyed the occasional trip into town for shopping, movies, or a trip to the library.
Life in 1921
- Average income: $3,269
- New house: $6,296
- New car: $525
- Rent: $15/month
- Lunch for two: $.70
- Gallon of gasoline: $.33
- Movie ticket: $.15
- Loaf of bread: $.10
- Postage: $.02
- Warren G. Harding was President
- Babe Ruth hit 59 home runs for the New York Yankees
- Broadcast radio was just starting, but receivers were very expensive
- Movies were silent and in black & white
- There were no overseas telephone calls
- There were no commercial US airlines
- There were only 48 US states
- There were no televisions, toasters, blow dryers, cell phones, computers, jet planes, or internet
Gallery
You are invited to leave a message for Ame
Please use the form at the bottom of the page. It may take a day or two for new messages to appear on this site.
Thank you for visiting Ame’s birthday page and sharing our celebration of her special day! We appreciate your kind thoughts and messages in lieu of gifts. You can contact us at kobymail@yahoo.com if you have any questions or if you would like to get in touch with our family. Take care and stay well!
The Kobayashi family
Happy 100th Birthday, Auntie Ame!
We want to send our love & support and give you the biggest hug through this message. Thank you for being such a strong example of perseverance, longevity and vibrant spirit. You have lived such an amazing life! It was so moving to read about your whole life story.
We think of you every time we see your painting hanging on the wall in our house, framed by Uncle Sam of course. What a great partnership! 😊
Sending all our love to you & the family. Happy birthday to you!
Love,
Janelle & Mark
Happy 100th Birthday, Auntie Ame!
I miss seeing that smile of yours. What a lovely tribute to you. I will always treasure our time spent at family get-togethers, delicious foods and the treasured family pictures! Thank you and Uncle Sam for taking us all on that wonderful adventure to Yellowstone National Park, etc. when we were all young rascals! I will always remember staying with you and our trip to LAX hours before check-in and wondering what on earth! I was still the last one to board the plane and will never forget telling the stewardess I was flying to Spokane and she said, “No, you aren’t! You’re getting off in San Francisco!” What a trip that was! Thank you for being such a gracious, beautiful and talented role model. Your strength, artistry and inspiration have always shined through.
Enjoy your day and may you find many more blessings, surprises and art-filled days in the year ahead. We love and miss you.
Much love from Masako, Bonnie and David
We built a new home and our (Mom, Bon & David) new address since 10/11/21 is: 22851 East Tory Court, Liberty Lake, WA 99019.
We use to sit next to each other at Church and I welcomed your beautiful smile when you walked in. I saw the same beautiful smile at Keiro. I was Christine, then Ruth’s daughter and then… I will always remember you as “Ame from Idaho” who was named after the American River, was a Hamada and wanted me to cut my hair. Have a great birthday Ame. Love you.
Thank you Betsy for the love and care of your mother.
Christine Kizuka (from Montebello Plymouth Congregational Church)
Happy 100th birthday to our special auntie!! What a milestone and the first to reach that in our family. I have so many wonderful memories of you and all you did for us. I was blessed to be taught Sumie by such a gifted artist like you. Those were fun and bonding times which I will always treasure. Wishing you a wonderful celebration of such a full life.
Much love and birthday hugs,
Your niece Aileen Maruki. 🎂💕
Our dearest Aunti Ame!
Happy 100th Birthday to an amazing person! We always knew the Hamada women were strong.
So many wonderful memories of family gatherings and vacations that span more than 50 years! Just wished I could have taken some Sumi-e painting lessons from you, but we are most blessed to have some of your paintings.
We appreciate all of the history you have shared with us to help preserve our proud Hamada heritage.
Many blessings to you and your family. Wishing you a wonderful birthday (hopefully, you can do a little “on-line” gambling) and hoping that we can get together someday.
Love always, Ginny and family
Happy Birthday dear Aunti Ame. So wonderful to read your memories of growing up and later years. You have quite the adventures during your lifetime. I’m glad you have reached this milestone and wish many more years to come. Have a wonderful birthday. Best wishes and love to you.
Alice and Vance Edman
Happy 100th Birthday, Auntie Ame!! Wishing you a beautiful day with family and friends!
Love, Tim Luebke
We are honored to join your many friends in sending you best wishes on your centennial celebration 🍾. You are a true pioneer bridging our two cultures and inspiring all those lives you touched. May you continue to enjoy everyday with your loving family and friends. Omedetou Gozaimasu 🥳
❤ Uri & Nana Gorski ( Betsy’s Kaiser family)
What a momentous occasion, Auntie!! We feel so grateful to have been able to share so many wonderful memories with you and your family. Wishing you a very “Happy Birthday”.
With much love and fondness,
Janis and Morris Fukumoto
Dear Grandma Ame,
お誕生日おめでとうございます!
What a great life story! Thank you for bringing so much joy, strength and beauty to the world around you for the past 10 decades. I wish one day I could be half as good of a painter and artist as you 🙂
Sending you lots of love and wishing you much happiness and good health in this new year! Really looking forward to seeing you soon!
April F. Kobayashi
This haiku expresses what I see in Auntie Ame:
Centenarian Lived life creating beauty Children, paintings, smilesWe celebrate you and 100 years!!
Love, Connie
Happy 100th birthday, Auntie Ame! What an amazing milestone for such an amazing person. Wishing you another year of health and happiness!
With love,
Tricia (Maruki) & Naomi Espinoza
Happy Birthday Mrs. Kobayashi! What a special day for you and your family.
So happy to hear you are staying with Betsy. Hope to plan a day so we can celebrate together!
Wishing you good health and many, many days of happiness!
HaPpY BiRtHdAy!!
Love,
Sharon Imada (Shinto)
Happy, Happy Birthday Ame!
Just dropping in to wish you birthday greetings on this special day!
We had a lot of fun times together with our family outings, church activities, fishing, camping, trips, art lessons (what patience!), etc.
Thank you for your friendship and support. Wishing you many more happy days!
Love,
Sets Shinto
100 birthday cheers to Ame! I was getting emotional and full of admiration to the memories and narratives of your life and family story, historical too and enjoyed reading it. Wishing you the best of health,love and joy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🥳🎂🎈💥💐. Thank you Arthur for sharing her lovely story. Well done! Great party!
With love, Mercedes, Betsy’s Kaiser friend
Wishing you a happy 100th birthday Auntie Ame! We love all the kindness and humor and strength you have always had, Hearing all your stories of what has been, and how it came to be has helped all of us know ourselves better, and where we came from.
Much love always,
Clint, Jen, and Reina
Happy “100th” Birthday Auntie Ame.
Please save me a dance when I see you to celebrate.
Special warning “ don’t burn down Betsy’s house when you light the candles!!
Love Doug & Kobe
Dear Aunt Ame
Happy Birthday!! Hope you have a wonderful birthday celebration along with a joyful Thanksgiving, Christmas and Shogatsu. May God bless you with continued health and happiness in life.
Love, Mark & Bella Kobayashi
Mrs. Kobayashi Happy Birthday. Glad you are doing well and great to hear you are with Betsy. We enjoyed the message and photos. What a wonderful life! Brings back some memories. God Bless You.
Be Safe
Rick and Patee Shinto
Dear Mrs. Kobayashi,
It was lovely reading your story. I know there were people, hardships and events in your life that shaped you into the person you are today. You seem like such a great person. I sure that you are reflected in the character of your posterity in Art, and his daughter Alison, and his son Nathan.
I know you played a significant part in who they are, people of kindness, charity, intellect and integrity. I count it as a blessing to know them and through them, you. When Art and Alison speak of you they warmly refer to you. It makes me wish I could meet you in person all the more.
Again, thank you for sharing your great life’s story.
I want to give you my sincerest wish that you find health and happiness on a special 100th Birthday!
Sincerely,
John ‘Andy’ Westhafer (Alison’s Boyfriend)
Happy birthday to an Amazing Lady!! Thank you for sharing her journey with us.
Love, Rose Lim — one of Betsy’s sister @Kaiser Family
Dear Ame,
What a milestone to reach 100 years old and what an incredible life you have had! I remember
fondly the many times Ken and I stayed with you when we were in LA after your parents were gone and your guiding us to Rose Hill so we didn’t get lost. We appreciated the paintings you gave us…such a talented artist. You were so faithful about mailing us avocados from your huge tree knowing how much we loved them and also kaki which was such a treat.
Happy Birthday and congratulations! God’s blessings to you.
Love,
Joan
Dear Ame,
Have a wonderful 100th Birthday!🥳 So happy to know you’re now living with Betsy and under good loving care from your kids.
Love,
Barbara Arita
Dear Mrs. Ame Kobayashi,
Congratulations 🎈 👏 🎈
on your centennial birthday celebration!
I am truly honored to have met an amazing, talented and beautiful woman like you. I have seen some of your artwork through Betsy, your loving ❤ daughter and my best friend.
Wishing you good health and a wonderful celebration with your loving family ❤.
Sincerely,
Alexis Rodriguez
Auntie Ame,
HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY!!! What an amazing tribute this is to a life well lived with an abundance of love. You are a beautiful lady!
Love, Patti (Kobayashi-Rubin)
Wow! Thank you for sharing Ame’s amazing story! Getting stranded in Japan for 7 years during the war must have been terrifying! Here are my 100th birthday wishes for this beautiful, charming, talented and wonderful woman, no wonder my friend Betsy is exactly the way she is ❤️ May your very special 100th birthday bring you continued good health, more love and comfort from your loving family🙏🏻 CHEERS🎉🎊🥳🥂🍾🎈❤️❤️❤️
Love, Evelyn L. Netrayana-from Betsy’s kaiser family🥰
Happy birthday Grandma! Wishing you a very happy birthday and a fun and healthy year to come! Good luck blowing out all your candles and may all your birthday wishes come true! Hope to see you again soon.
Love,
Alison
What a life! You are the first Hamada that i know of to make it to one hundred years. Congratulations!
I appreciate you letting the Tamura clan stay with you so we could go to Disneyland when I was five. And I have vague memories of a car caravan through Yellowstone together – I think that was the time Connie got separated from the group at Old Faithful, I think I was still five. That was a great year for me.
I hope 100 is a great year for you! All the best!!!
Love, Teresa
Happy Birthday Aunty Ame! Wishing you good health and happiness on your special day and in the years to come!
Cheers to you!
With Love,
The Reiter Family
Crystal (Fukumoto), Andreas, Lukas & Ethan
Happy 100th Birthday Grandma! Glad you’re healthy and doing well! Hope you have an amazing birthday and start to your 100s! Take care and hope that we’ll be able to see you soon!
Love,
Nathan
Its so nice to see all these photos and memories together. Thank you Uncle Arthur and Auntie Teri.
Happy 100th Grandma! See you soon.
Love, Jonathan
Welcome to the Centenary Club! Warmest birthday greetings to you. Wishing you continued good health, much love, and happiness on this milestone birthday. I treasure our times together and always appreciate your good humor and being a part of your lovely family. I wish you much joy and blessings ahead. Congratulations!
With love always,
Teri
Happy birthday, mom! Wishing you “many happy returns of the day!”
Love, Arthur