Mitsuye “Mitzi” Yamamoto
May 31, 1921 – October 15, 2018
Mitsuye Yamamoto, 97, of Patterson passed away peacefully on Monday, October 15th at home.
Born in San Jose, CA on May 31, 1921 to Kaneichi and Hatsuko Yamaichi. She was a longtime Patterson resident for 60 years who farmed alongside her late husband Shig on the Westside. Mitzi met and married her husband of 52 years when she was relocated to the internment camp at Tule Lake. Mitzi looked forward to watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in sporting events. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, flower arranging and gardening. Mrs. Yamamoto was a member of the Patterson Senior Citizens, Farm Bureau, Patterson Garden Club, C.W.A., Stockton Buddhist Church, San Joaquin Nisei League and an honorary Red-Hatter.
Mrs. Yamamoto is survived by her sons, Toshio Yamamoto of Sacramento, Ken (Pat) Yamamoto of San Jose and Bobby (Karen) Yamamoto of Westley; daughters, Yuri (Ken) Furukawa of San Jose and Kiyo Yamamoto of Newman; brother, Richard Yamaichi of Sacramento; sisters, Yoshiko Ichikawa of Santa Clara and Hinako Uchida of Oakland; eight grandchildren (Hatsumi, Kimiko, Corrin, Jason, Shelby and Keith Yamamoto, Jennifer Gillum and Cindy Dupont) and four great-grandchildren (Clay and Mia Gillum, Jace and Wade Yamamoto). Auntie to many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Shig Yamamoto and her brothers and sisters: Masaru Yamaichi, Shigeru Yamaichi, Jimi Yamaichi, Meri Nitta, Mumbo Yamaichi and Sue Toyoshima.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Thursday, October 25th at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Patterson. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday October 26th at Stockton Buddhist Church, 2820 Shimizu Drive in Stockton. Interment services will follow at 3:00 pm at Patterson District Cemetery, 10800 Highway 33 in Patterson.
Donations may be made to: PRIDE Scholarship – Shigeru and Mitsuye Yamamoto Scholarship, PO Box 1543, Patterson, CA 95363.
Services conducted by Hillview Funeral Chapel, Patterson.