Greenbrae, CA

Yasuko Aoki-Carnachan, known to many friends as “Nikki,” passed away July 7, 2025 in Greenbrae, CA one day short of her 90th birthday, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Yasuko was born in Yokohama, Japan on July 8, 1935. Her father Hachiro was an OB/Gyn, and her mother Sadako was a homemaker who had a university degree. Yasuko was in the middle of six children and grew up in a loving and boisterous household. World War II interrupted her childhood, however, as the frequent sounds of air raid sirens and bombs terrorized the family.

In the 1950s, as Japan began to prosper following the war, Yasuko attended Ferris Do-so-kai, a private all-girls high school, where she had a close group of friends and spent many happy days. She later attended dressmaking school and took culinary classes, and became quite as killed seamstress, making most of her own clothes, as well as for her daughters. She was also known as a wonderful cook.

In the 1960s, Yasuko moved to San Francisco and worked at an import/export company. Her name was challenging for her North American co-workers, so they called her “Nikki,” which stuck throughout her life. In 1964, she met Anthony “Tony” Poligono, and they were married a year later. They had two daughters: Linda and Lora. They also raised Tony's daughters from his prior marriage, Lori and Karen.

After 35 years, her marriage to Tony ended, but Nikki then met Bob Carnachan, who treated her with much love and respect. They were married in 2002 and lived together at the Tamalpais Residence in Greenbrae. Eventually, they both moved to Assisted Living as Bob became more infirm and Nikki developed Alzheimer's Disease.

Nikki was known for her grace and easy going demeanor. She made friends easily and was well loved by everyone who knew her. Even the staff and caregivers at the Tamalpais enjoyed caring for her, and she was greeted with smiles and joy by everyone she encountered. She loved reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, sewing, and had a passion for fine food. Most remarkable of all, the progression of Alzheimer's Disease never robbed her of her joy, and she became even more delightful as she aged, and she never lost the ability to recognize everyone. She is survived by her daughters Linda and Lora, step-daughter Karen, grandchildren TJ, Lorian, Andrew, and Christopher, and great-grandson Thaddeus.