DENVER — A Denver family is on a search for a floral-print shirt, lost in the Capitol Hill neighborhood during a walk early in July.
“It’s my favorite shirt,” Chiaki Fukuda said.
The white and flowery blouse is her favorite because it belonged to her mother, and was one of the only heirlooms she was given before she passed away.
“She had pancreatic cancer. And she only had three months when they realized she had pancreatic cancer, so I didn’t really have a chance to stay with her,” she said.
The shirt, from the 1970s, held plenty of memories for Chiaki.
“It’s like my mother’s personality as well. Because she took care of everything so well. She kept clothes for 30, 40 years,” she said.
As a result, the family has been looking nearly non-stop for weeks.
“Reaching out to people on Facebook, Nextdoor, posters, calling all secondhand and vintage stores,” her husband Peter told Denver7.
Posters reading “Lost Shirt” were put up along Sherman Street, between 10th and 14th, with the hopes that the shirt can be returned. Peter received messages about buying a replacement, but because of the sentimental nature, knew it wouldn’t be the same.
“It may not mean much to another person,” he said. “It could have the value of one dollar but to someone else it could be worth a lifetime of memories.”
Even though the shirt may never be found, Chiaki says the search has given her a good reason to think about her mom.
“At least we (are trying) our best. I think my mother would be happy,” she said.
If you know anything about the missing shirt, email jason@thedenverchannel.com.