![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.bassettbranches.org\/newsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/nobuko1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPainting by Nobuko F. Bassett currently for sale on eBay<\/p>\n
Nobuko (nee’ Fukunaga) Bassett died on Saturday, June 25, 2011, at her residence in the Village of Northrise, Las Cruces, New Mexico. She passed quietly while in the company of her daughter, Chikako, and close friends, Maki Peet, Gail Bamford, and Pam Miller. Nobuko was born on March 27, 1921, in Toyama Prefecture in central Japan. The eldest daughter, she grew up with four sisters and five brothers in a home surrounded by the forests and snowcapped mountains of Nagano. Early in her life, she developed an interest in sports and the arts, and eventually graduated from Nikadoo University with a degree in Gymnastics. Following college, she taught gymnastics at the local high school while pursuing her artistic passions and developing an artistic eye that led her to oils and watercolor. In the mid-1950s, she opened “Ra Chiquita,” at the time, one of the few Italian restaurants in Japan and the only Italian restaurant in the country with a Spanish name. Patrons from around the region would flock to the restaurant where they could enjoy an Italian-Japanese meal of white sauce, fettuccini and sake while sitting fora hand-drawn sketch by Ra Chiquita’s locally renowned artist-owner, Nobuko Fukunaga. Nobuko remained at the restaurant until she met Ray Bassett, a young American serviceman stationed in Japan. She gave her heart to Ray as he did to her. Ray married Nobuko and brought his new bride to the United States where Ray was eventually stationed at White Sands Missile Range, their home until he retired from the US Navy. Following his retirement, Nobuko and Ray traveled around the country in search of the perfect place to build their home. Their search led them back to Las Cruces, a place that Nobuko, in her way, described as, “everyone friendly.” Nobuko lived happily with Ray for many years in their first and last and only home. She gardened, growing flowers, fruits, and vegetables. She found a love of classical music and would spend hours knitting while Mozart or Beethoven played in the background. Her true passion, besides Ray, was always art. During her time in Las Cruces, Nobuko perfected her technique and her reputation as an artist grew. Her award-winning still lifes, portraits and landscapes can be found throughout Las Cruces, a testament to her skill as an artist. Nobuko is preceded in death by her husband, Ray Bassett, USN retired; her parents; and two brothers and three sisters. She is survived by her sisters, Sumiko and Chieko and her brothers, Tetsuya and Yujoo. She is also survived by her daughters Chicako and Yaeko; her grandchildren, Daisuke, Hideko, and Hajime; and great grandchildren, Iori and Aoi. A celebration of life will be held at Village of Northrise, 2882 Hallmark Building, on July 1, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Nobuko’s remains will join those of her beloved Ray at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Prior to her passing, Nobuko requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of Las Cruces. The Japanese family of Nobuko Bassett would like to express its thanks to the many residents of Las Cruces and the Village of Northrise who were Nobuko’s friends and her American family. Arrangements by La Paz – Graham’s Funeral Home, 555 W. Amador Avenue, 526-6891.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nobuko F. Bassett was the wife of Hector Ray Bassett. Hector Ray Bassett descends from #63B Hansford Bassett as follows: Hansford Bassett (b. 1809) and wife Mary Elizabeth Underwood Winfield Scott Bassett (b. 1852) and wife Henritta Easom Robert Lee … Continue reading <\/a>Las Cruces Sun-News, New Mexico, 29 June 2011
\nNobuko Bassett<\/p>\n