Georgia Tsutaye (Nakaba) Nakagawa-Blevins

Obituary 

Georgia Tsutaye (Nakaba) Nakagawa-Blevins

September 17, 1940 – November 29, 2024

Georgia Tsutaye Nakagawa-Blevins passed away peacefully at home on November 29, 2024, at the age of 84, with her daughter Holly by her side. 

Born in Torrance, California to Mildred Haruko (Sakaguchi) Nakaba and George Masakazu Nakaba.  Georgia’s early life was marked by resilience and strength. During World War II she and her family were sent to Santa Anita Assembly center, then to Granada, CO where the family was interned at Amache Internment Camp for the duration of the war from 1942 to 1945. After the war, the family briefly stayed in Denver, CO but eventually moved back to the Los Angeles and into the Sun Valley Trailer Court until 1952 when they purchased a house, living there until 1997.

Georgia graduated in 1958 as part of the first class at John H. Francis Polytechnic High School before pursuing her passion for fashion at LA Trade-Tech. While her career ultimately led her to become a professional legal secretary, her love for creativity never waned. She had a lifelong interest in dance, knitting, crocheting and painting.  She was a member of Project Linus, crafting blankets to comfort children in need.

In 2008, Georgia relocated to Sonoma County with her husband, James D. Blevins Jr., who passed away in 2010. She embraced her new community by volunteering with the Sonoma County SPCA’s Cat Companion program, sharing her love and care with countless cats and kittens.

Georgia found joy in painting pottery and watercolors, listening to classical music and opera, and appreciating beautiful flowers. She was also a lover of music who enjoyed playing the piano. She was known for her quick wit, generous spirit, and unwavering kindness.

She is survived by her brother Kenneth (Kazuko) Nakaba; her daughter Holly (Mike Schaeffer) Nakagawa-Schaeffer; her grandson Alexander (Cassidy Childs) Pagels and her extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband, James D. Blevins Jr.

Georgia’s warmth, creativity, and compassion touched everyone she met. She will be deeply missed but lovingly remembered.

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