Mitsuko Yamamoto, beloved 103-year-old mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away in her Alhambra home on May 9, 2020. A Kibei-Nisei, born in Visalia, Calif., her family returned to Yamaguchi, Japan to help with her grandparents’ farm when she was only 1 year old. As a teenager, she returned to California and lived a storied life of adventure such as serving the Prince & Princess of Norway in her Japanese kimono while working at the Presidio. Her kindness, generosity, good humor and gratitude endeared her to all whose path she crossed. Despite the hardships she endured, her legacy lives on in the many positive memories that she chose to share with her family and friends throughout her life.
She is predeceased by her husband, John Kiyoshi Yamamoto; survived by her daughters, Elaine (Frank) Koyama and Arlene (John) Nakamura; grandchildren, Jason Koyama, Kristen (Mark H Rooney) Koyama, Lora Nakamura, and Evan Nakamura. Also survived by three sisters in Japan, many nieces and nephews both here and in Japan, as well as many dear friends.
In her memory, an intimate family service was held on May 23 at Fukui Mortuary’s “Chapel of the Garden,” with Bishop Noriaki Ito of Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple officiating.