ELEANOR MASAKO TANAKA 102 years old September 15, 1912 - November 25, 2014 Eleanor was raised in a family of nine children in Nu'uanu, O'ahu to parents, Otokichi and Kimi Ishii (issei from Hiroshima, Japan.) They lived above their sundry store by the old Musashiya store along the River Street canal. Her fond memories included swimming in Honolulu Harbor, wearing kimonos as a salesperson at Liberty House, and aspiring to own her own children's clothing store one day. She always valued education as she had to interrupt her own education before graduation from high school in order to help her family. She married Thomas Takeshi Tanaka and was the quintessential 'shogun's wife' of those days, raising six children and fully supporting her husband's endeavors as a general contractor in Moili'ili. Her hard work resulted in her "most wonderful family" that continued to have weekly Sunday dinners with her until her passing. Eleanor crocheted hundreds of nylon scrubbers and sewed countless Hawaiian print shifts and shorts that her family members treasure and use all the time. She proudly attended as many school ceremonies as she could for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren until shortly before her injurious fall in early October. Eleanor would say that her greatest accomplishment was her legacy of a large, close, happy, successful extended family of six children, 16 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Her children are Ella and (Orin, deceased) Hakoda, Harold and Carol Tanaka, (Alfred, deceased) and Leonora Tanaka, Thelma and John Hamano, Gail and Steven Mizokawa, and (Pauline, deceased) and Richard Nakamura. Grandma Tanaka's grandchildren are Dana Joy Hayashi, Troy Hakoda, Darcie Hoshide, Gregg Tanaka, Brett Tanaka, Ricky Murakami, Dawn Kim, Todd Murakami, Chad Murakami, Trisha Goya, Stephanie Helbush, Mark Mizokawa, Jeffrey Mizokawa, Jill Mizokawa, Jessica Laymon Nakamura, Lauren Nakamura and their respective spouses. She is also survived by her sister, Doris "Kimichan" Ishii. We will miss her 'gambatte" (keep trying to do your best) and "kodomo no tame ni" (for the sake of the children) spirit and her constant presence until her 102nd birthday that reminded us about the importance of family and strong family traditions like making our Hawaiian food for New Year's. Domo Arigato Mom, Domo Arigato Grandma Tanaka, Domo Arigato Great-grandma Tanaka! We have learned so much from you about a gracious, loving, and grateful life well-lived and we will always cherish you! Your "Most Wonderful Family" Private services were held at Hosoi Garden Mortuary, N. Kukui St., O'ahu
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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