Machiko Tsuruya's Obituary
Machiko Tsuruya Obituary
Machiko Tsuruya passed away on February 4, 2025, at age 91 surrounded by her loved ones.
Born on September 8, 1933, in Lindsay, California, to Hideaki and Sumako Shimizu, she endured the hardships of WWII incarceration at Poston, Arizona. After their release, her father and brother returned to Japan, while she and her sister remained in California.
She met Kenneth Tsuruya at Woodbury College in California and married in 1956. They soon moved to Ken’s home state of Hawaii, where they built a life together and raised four daughters. Machi was a devoted mother who taught her family the values of unconditional love and resilience.
For much of her career, she worked as a beloved and dedicated secretary at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s School of Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Studies. Upon retirement, she enjoyed life with Ken and their dog, Shaps.
Machi was preceded in death by her husband, Ken, and brother, Fujio. She is survived by her sister, Chiyeko Takitani; daughters Laura (Alan) Miyashiro, Gale (Kent) Sumida, Robin (Dwight) Young, and Teri Ann Tsuruya; and grandchildren Nathan, Joshua, Aaron, Kyle, Jaclyn, Sydney, Nicholas, Amanda, Carson, and West.
Her warmth, strength, and love will forever be treasured.
Private services were held on April 7, 2025 at Mililani Memorial Park & Mortuary.
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