Akiko Fukumoto Balchiunas, age 51, passed away in her home in Warren, Vermont, on the beautiful morning of May 29, 2015, in the comfort and care of her partner and adventure mate, Robert F. Graham Jr. Akiko was born in Funabashi, Japan, on September 29, 1963. She was the daughter of Shoji and Masako (Shirata) Fukumoto. Akiko began her love of travel by moving with her family to Hatboro, Pennsylvania, at age 4. Then at age 12, the Fukumotos relocated to their first home in Warminster, Pennsylvania. She continued her adventure in which she created an amazing family of friends and adventures for herself and so many others in this life.
Akiko graduated from William Tennent High School in Warminster, Pennsylvania, in 1981 and continued her education at Drexel University, receiving her bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1986. Akiko found true love at Drexel where she met Charles A. Balchiunas. After graduating the couple moved to Glen Bernie, Maryland, and purchased their first home in 1986. The couple married on July 9, 1988. In 1995, the couple sought a new way of life by moving to Stowe, Vermont, where they later built their dream home in Hinesburg, Vermont, in 1996. They later purchased a lake camp in North Hero, Vermont, in 2004 where Akiko loved to be. Her husband, Chuck, passed away on February 18, 2008.
Akiko began her career as a circuit designer/test and manufacturing engineer with Lockheed Martin in Maryland in 1986. She later was employed by Osicom/Cray Communications for three years before joining IBM/Essex Junction in 1995 to 2013. At IBM, Akiko saw her responsibilities begin as an engineer for the SSRAM Wafer Test becoming the program manager of that department where she created and held registered patents for IBM. Following a period of advancements, she became the project manager for New Product Introduction/Outsource Enablement Test Engineer. After 18 years with IBM, Akiko began a new chapter in her journey becoming a digital marketing consultant for Gravity Dance, a lifestyle clothing and artistic creations company based out of Rob and Akiko's home in Warren, where she was responsible for developing and executing social media strategy for the company. She also paved her own way in setting up, rolling over and managing her own 401k. Also, after her time at IBM, Akiko was given a grant to go back to school at Community College of Vermont furthering her education in an associate program studying digital and social media marketing. Also within the parameters of her classes, Akiko was working on her own social media project to promote her own project called Happy Hibiscus on Facebook or online at www.HappyHibiscus.com/Twitter/Pintrest/Youtube. Akiko created a social media presence as an *Awakened Lifestyle Brand*, with a message to "Make choices using Love instead of Fear,” to discover one's true potential. Happy Hibiscus was also a way for Akiko to chronicle her journey ... also as a way for her "to attract like-minded people, to help others understand how awakening will give the courage to not fear cancer and other things in life."
Akiko loved to play! She enjoyed many, many activities. The following are some of her favorites (just add "ing" to the end) snowboard, golf, kayak, fish, bike, wakeboard, surf, swim, snorkle, sail/boat, volleyball, tennis, scrabble with her ladies, snuggling, playing and walks with her German shepherds (Malko and Kogie) and scenic drives where she always found the most scenic or best route.
Akiko was a world traveler who loved life and adventure and loved her family, friends and pets deeply. She especially enjoyed arranging travel adventures and gatherings of friends, making new friends, laughing hard and being in places with a beautiful view.
Akiko found great happiness living in Vermont and loved being at her camp in North Hero, Vermont. Akiko also enjoyed volunteering at the Flynn Center for Performing Arts in Burlington, Vermont ... as a "Flynn Spirit"/usher for the past five years.
Akiko is loved and mourned by her partner of the last seven years, Robert F. Graham Jr. of Warren; her parents, Shoji and Masako Fukumoto of Warminster, Pennsylvania; her brother, Mas Fukumoto of Atlanta, Georgia, her dog, Kogie; and countless friends and extended family.
Friends and family are invited to attend Akiko's viewing to be held on June 4, 2015, at Perkins Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury, Vermont, from 5 to 8 p.m.
There will be two celebration of life parties for Akiko: The first will be in the Philadelphia area (venue TBD) on August 8, 2015, followed by a second celebration of life party to be held at Akiko's camp in North Hero on August 15, 2015.
