MAY SETSUKO YOSHIDA Was born on Jan.29, 1916 in Riverside, California. She graduated from Riverside High school in 1934 and began working as a hairdresser in San Francisco, where she met Fred Yoshida. Fred and his parents lived in Watsonville, California. He often took the train to San Francisco to see May. When WWII broke-out in 1941, the couple was separated. Fred and his parents moved to Denver, Colorado to avoid internment. Since Fred and May were not yet married, May was first sent to Tanforan Race Track to await her permanent camp assignment. It was then that Fred proposed. May was released from camp and the couple married on June 24, 1943 in Denver. When the war ended, Fred and May moved to Chicago. Fred worked as a dental assistant and May as a hairdresser. In June, 1946, the couple returned to California and settled inSan Francisco. In 1948, Christine, their only child was born and,3 years later, the young family moved to a home in the Sunset District, where Fred and May lived until Fred's death in 1998. In 1966, when Christine went to Los Angeles to attend college, May decided to resume working. She enrolled at Heald's Business College and obtained an AA degree in 1968. Shortly thereafter, she began working as an Administrative Assistant at Hastings College of the Law In San Francisco. In 1970, she was promoted to Admissions Director of the college. May loved this job and, in particular, she loved working with the law students from Hawaii. She employed many of them as student workers. May provided great comfort and support to those students, who were far away from home. Many of the Hawaii law students continued to remain in close contact with May long after they graduated and pursued their careers as lawyers, judges, and business leaders. Scores of them owe her much for the comfort and kindness she lavished upon them. A fond memory for May was her attendance at a law school reunion in Hawaii in 2004. May thoroughly enjoyed this trip, being hosted by the former students, who remembered and appreciated all that she had done for them in their more difficult law school days. May retired in 1985 as Fred's health began to deteriorate. She dedicated herself to caring for him, until his death in 1998. In 1999,May moved from her beloved home inSan Francisco,to live with Christine and her husband, Shunsuke Chuman, in Torrance. May learned to navigate the streets of Torrance, as she continued to drive well into her 90's. She enjoyed trips with Christine and Shunsuke to Las Vegas, as well as, from time-to-time, with certain former Hastings students. In October of 2011, following a trip to Las Vegas, May suffered a stroke, which left her paralyzed on the left side of her body. In time, shebecame bedridden, but remained cheerful, resilient and mentally capable. On October 9, 2016, May developed a severe infection and eventually passed away on October 27, 2016 in Torrance, having celebrated her last birthday in January of that year. She was 100 years old.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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