Age 88, passed away on February 23, 2017, in Honolulu, surrounded by family. Mae was born in Hilo and moved with her family to Honolulu as a young girl. She attended Roosevelt High School (Class of 1946), and in 1950, was the first woman to graduate from the University of Hawaii Manoa with a degree in engineering. Mae was also the first woman in Hawaii to become a licensed Professional Engineer, obtaining her P.E. in 1954. While attending UH, she met her future husband Rikio Nishioka making them one of the first professional engineering couples in America at that time. She retired as Director of Facilities Planning at the University of Hawaii in 1983, and spent her retirement years traveling the world with her husband. Mae was recently awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award by the Hawaii Council of Engineering Societies for her contributions to the field of engineering and blazing a trail for women. Even in retirement, she continued to mentor female engineering students at UH, and was instrumental in the formation of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Hawaii Chapter of which she had been a member for over 50 years. Mae was also a member of the Altrusa International Club (Hawaii District), a service organization of professional women, serving in various positions including President. She was a devoted mother who adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mae is survived by her son, Richard (Audrey); daughters Susan and Sybil; grandchildren, Alicia, Andrea Irimata, Adrienne (William) Forsyth, Shane Nishioka-Healy; six great grandchildren; and sister, Dorothy (Edward) Miyata. She is preceded in passing by her husband Rikio Nishioka. A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, March 19, 2017, at Nuuanu Memorial Park, 11:00 AM Visitation and Service at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her remembrance to the University of Hawaii Foundation - College of Engineering, or the Society of Women Engineers - Hawaii Chapter. Aloha attire. Arrangements Provided By: NUUANU MEMORIAL PARK & MORTUARY LLC
Age 88, passed away on February 23, 2017, in Honolulu, surrounded by family. Mae was born in Hilo and moved with her family to Honolulu as a young girl. She attended Roosevelt High School (Class of 1946), and in 1950, was the first woman to graduate from the University of Hawaii Manoa with a degree in engineering. Mae was also the first woman in Hawaii to become a licensed Professional Engineer, obtaining her P.E. in 1954. While attending UH, she met her future husband Rikio Nishioka making them one of the first professional engineering couples in America at that time. She retired as Director of Facilities Planning at the University of Hawaii in 1983, and spent her retirement years traveling the world with her husband. Mae was recently awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award by the Hawaii Council of Engineering Societies for her contributions to the field of engineering and blazing a trail for women. Even in retirement, she continued to mentor female engineering students at UH, and was instrumental in the formation of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Hawaii Chapter of which she had been a member for over 50 years. Mae was also a member of the Altrusa International Club (Hawaii District), a service organization of professional women, serving in various positions including President. She was a devoted mother who adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mae is survived by her son, Richard (Audrey); daughters Susan and Sybil; grandchildren, Alicia, Andrea Irimata, Adrienne (William) Forsyth, Shane Nishioka-Healy; six great grandchildren; and sister, Dorothy (Edward) Miyata. She is preceded in passing by her husband Rikio Nishioka. A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, March 19, 2017, at Nuuanu Memorial Park, 11:00 AM Visitation and Service at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her remembrance to the University of Hawaii Foundation - College of Engineering, or the Society of Women Engineers - Hawaii Chapter. Aloha attire. Arrangements Provided By: NUUANU MEMORIAL PARK & MORTUARY LLC
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
