Keiko Stewart

Keiko Stewart (Tana) was born on May 25, 1945 to Katsue (Furukubo) and Shinpo Tana. One of the toughest ladies we know, she battled and survived colon cancer for eight years before passing peacefully surrounded by her family on October 23, 2026. Eternal gratitude to her care teams at Intermountain Medical Center and Canyon Home Hospice for fighting alongside her and making her comfortable in her final days. She wished to extend particular thanks to Dr. Mark A. Lewis and Dr. George Cannon. Also, many thanks to Neil O’Donnell Funeral Home for their respectful and dignified care.

The youngest of five children (Chisato, Makiko, Yoshimitsu, Setsuko), Keiko grew up in the small fishing village of Minabe in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. She moved to Southern California in February 1976 with her husband, Douglas Stewart, and together they raised four girls, Mineh (Sean) Carrico, Mika (Brian) Lund, and twins Mei Stewart and Mai (Josh) Kemble. While she and Doug ultimately divorced, they remained committed to their family, and Keiko became very close to Doug's wife, Ana. They frequently celebrated holidays together with their children and their grandchildren, Keegan, Myles, Eva, Ethan, Benjamin, and Owen. Her grandchildren were the light of her life.

Keiko was an active part of the Japanese community in Southern California, and she
volunteered countless hours for the Kyodo System Japanese Language Schools, her children’s public schools, and the twins’ Brownie troop. In addition to her generosity of time and service, Keiko will forever be remembered for her bright, dimpled smiles, her teasing wit, her care for nature, her kindness to animals, and her deep love and support of her family and friends. She was fiercely brave and intelligent, moving to a foreign country where she didn’t speak the language and learning it as she raised her children and created her community of friends. Keiko’s home was a safe, welcoming place for all of her children’s friends, and she often showed her love for them by feeding them home-cooked Japanese meals. Her love of good food was legendary, and whenever she had something especially tasty, she always wanted to share a bite. She had the softest of hearts, and she will continue to live on in ours until the end of time.

We love you Mama, forever and always.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations to Best Friends Animal Society in support of making Utah a no-kill state. https://bestfriends.org/

A viewing will be held October 28, 2026 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Neil O'Donnell Funeral Home.