Kyoko Villadiego of Orlando, Florida, passed away at Advent Health Winter Park Hospital on December 6, 2024. She was born on July 4, 1947, to a working-class mother with five brothers in Okinawa, Japan. In her spare time, she enjoyed music, singing, and cooking. During Kyoko's early years, her mother had a busy schedule balancing factory work and operating a small restaurant. Kyoko cared for her brothers while her mother was busy. Her mother's dream was to run a restaurant with her daughter, so Kyoko formally trained at Niijima Culinary School to make that dream come true.

Secretly and on a whim, her mother enrolled her in a national singing contest, and Kyoko won the competition. The contest opened many doors for her future singing career. During high school, Kyoko sang on television and performed on stage with an orchestra in the evenings. She sang many popular songs and was a rising star in Japan. She juggled school, working at her mother's restaurant, and singing to support her brothers. Kyoko had the opportunity to sing at large venues for U.S. military soldiers based in Japan. She met famous performers like Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Count Basie, and Frank Sinatra, Jr during these times. However, life took a quick turn for her. During one of her performances, she met the love of her life and husband, Captain Rafael Villadiego.

Kyoko made the hardest decision of her life and left her singing career to start a family with her husband in the United States of America. The two eventually settled in Orlando, Florida, and Kyoko helped Dr. Rafael Villadiego establish his pediatric practice. Kyoko wanted her husband to succeed, so she explored various courses of study. She attended Valencia College and the University of Central Florida at night. Eventually, Kyoko focused on helping him grow his practice and became the Practice Administrator of their medical office. She was the principal expert behind Dr. Villadiego's successful business, which thrived for over 40 years on Curry Ford Road. Upon her husband's retirement, Kyoko became the president of her company, AGISAI Properties, LLC. As a professional office landlord, she sold and merged Dr. Villadiego's pediatric practice with Carcamo Pediatrics to allow Dr. Villadiego's legacy to continue.

Kyoko loved life and was known for spreading positivity while helping those in her community. She frequently donated to individuals experiencing poverty and provided support to many local businesses. Her charitable spirit reminded her of her humble roots in Japan, where her mother struggled to survive during the war. Kyoko was the social butterfly of the neighborhood, attracting others with her vibrant personality and charm. She will be greatly missed. Kyoko is survived by her two sons, Henry and Peter, and her granddaughter, Zoë.

Kyoko Villadiego will be laid to rest next to her husband at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida, on January 30, 2025, at 11:00 AM. The funeral arrangements will be handled by DeGusipe Funeral Home.

Kyoko's family invites you to share your condolences or memories on the Tribute Wall created in her loving memory on DeGusipe's website.