Taye K. Nakamura-Koyama

Taye Nakamura-Koyama tragically passed away on the night of June 12th. Though she had recently turned 16 years old, she experienced much more than we will ever truly understand. Taye was an incredibly energetic, passionate, creative and thoughtful soul. She was an extraordinary artist and art is what she identified herself with most, creating thousands of drawings on paper and electronically. Taye was also an intense athlete in Nordic skiing, road cycling, and cyclo-cross. She routinely placed among the top in her competitive events, and won the Oregon State Cycling Criterium for the last two years, which allowed her to attend the USA Cycling Talent / ID camps. Her collection of trophy mugs from the various Central Oregon sporting events overflow from our cupboards. She was extremely proud of winning first place in the 2014 womens pairs team in the Pole Pedal Paddle. So many in the community brought joy into her life. Thanks to every person for being there for Taye. Thank you for enriching all that she lived for. We are all trying to make sense of something that cannot be understood and to cope with the pain of a lost child that will never subside. For those closest to Taye, you will recognize that anything she focused on, she did with an intensity and passion which pushed her limits and skirted the boundaries. In that sense, she had something that very few people are fortunate enough to experience. Our child is gone, but she leaves so much for us. If you were her friend; if you are touched by her loss, we ask that you think about the love and beauty she brought and how important it is to express that every day to each other with the kind of intensity Taye lived. In that way, we can honor her life, and a part of her lives on in us. Seashells remind us that every passing life leaves something beautiful behind.~ Unknown In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to MBSEF(Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation) towards a scholarship in Tayes honor, called The Heart & Soul of Nordic Skiing or to the Bend Endurance Academy for cycling scholarships. A memorial service will be held at The Westside Church, 2051 NW Shevlin Park Rd, Bend, OR on Friday, June 20 at 4 pm, with a reception following. A memorial website is at where anyone can visit to leave "candle" thoughts, prayers and view photos of Tayes life and artwork. Funeral Home: Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home New 105 NW Irving Ave Bend, OR US 97701

Tributes

Taye K. Nakamura-Koyama

May 20, 1998 - June 12, 2014