COUNTYWIDE : Chief Deputy Public Defender Dies at 42
Ventura County’s chief deputy public defender, who was one of the state’s highest ranking women in public law, died Thursday of ovarian cancer after battling the disease for more than two years.
Joyce Yoshioka, 42, who was appointed to her position in August, 1984, supervised an office of 57 people along with Public Defender Kenneth I. Clayman. At the time, she was the highest ranking woman in any public defender’s office in the state.
In October, 1986, Mrs. Yoshioka received the Salute to Women Award, which is given by the Ventura County Commission on Women to honor women in law enforcement. She was active in bar association activities both locally and statewide.
A native of Monterey Park, Mrs. Yoshioka had a law degree from UCLA. She passed the California State Bar exam in 1972.
Mrs. Yoshioka played the flute and had taken flying lessons. She is survived by her husband, Seiji, her parents, Ann and Howard Ogawa of Monterey Park; and a sister, Susan Ogawa-Taylor, of Santa Monica.
A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ted Mayr Funeral Home & Crematory, 3150 Loma Vista Road.
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