Edna was born on November 2, 1924, a second generation Japanese, one of eight siblings born in Kuapa fish pond, what is now called, Hawaii Kai, in Honolulu, Hawaii. When the family moved to 1st Avenue in Kaimuki, she attended Waialae Japanese School and graduated from McKinley High School in 1942, where she was captain of the girls basketball team. She married her high school sweetheart, Albert Kenzo Yonaoshi in 1947. They lived in the McCully district on Young Street until they moved to their Manoa Valley home in 1963, built by Al, and lived most of their lives, as Al became an established real estate broker and developer with Leilani Realty Company. Edna worked at City Bank for 10 years and became a travel agent and tour escort with Star Travel Agency, Travel House, and Royal Adventure Travel, where she took tours to Japan, totaling 36 years, finally retiring at age 83. She travelled the world in her job and was known for her spam musubis that she made for each tour group. Before and after each tour she would hold a big house party for tour members to congregate and get to know each other. We once roughly calculated that she made close to 40,000 spam musubis. Her tours were known for their fun filled evenings in Japan eating, singing, and dancing. She would end each tour with her famous "chicken dance." Eventually, Edna moved in to the Arcadia Senior Residence where she lived after Al passed away. Edna loved her Arcadia family and they were a big part of her life. Upon moving in she was happily reunited with former tour members, classmates, and made lots of new friends which lasted seven years. During her final days friends and relatives travelled to Hawaii from Japan and the mainland to share stories about the good ole days, as she knew her time was limited after withdrawing from dialysis. She had a steady stream of visitors right up until the end. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on the evening of 7/17/17. On behalf of Edna, the family would like to thank the many well wishers who visited her, with many thanks to the nursing staff, administrators, and the Island Hospice Team. Edna is survived by her daughter, Susan (husband Jim) Quimby; son, Roy (wife Kwan); two grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; younger brother, George Tsukazaki; youngest sister, Martha Fujimoto, and dozens of relatives and cousins. The family will celebrate her life with a brief memorial service at the Arcadia Senior Residence on 1434 Punahou Street; 3pm visitation, 4pm service on Thursday, August 10, 2017. Catering is by Zippy's and free valet parking. Edna requested no flowers and no monetary koden, please. Be ready to chicken dance. Arrangements Provided By: HOSOI GARDEN MORTUARY
Edna was born on November 2, 1924, a second generation Japanese, one of eight siblings born in Kuapa fish pond, what is now called, Hawaii Kai, in Honolulu, Hawaii. When the family moved to 1st Avenue in Kaimuki, she attended Waialae Japanese School and graduated from McKinley High School in 1942, where she was captain of the girls basketball team. She married her high school sweetheart, Albert Kenzo Yonaoshi in 1947. They lived in the McCully district on Young Street until they moved to their Manoa Valley home in 1963, built by Al, and lived most of their lives, as Al became an established real estate broker and developer with Leilani Realty Company. Edna worked at City Bank for 10 years and became a travel agent and tour escort with Star Travel Agency, Travel House, and Royal Adventure Travel, where she took tours to Japan, totaling 36 years, finally retiring at age 83. She travelled the world in her job and was known for her spam musubis that she made for each tour group. Before and after each tour she would hold a big house party for tour members to congregate and get to know each other. We once roughly calculated that she made close to 40,000 spam musubis. Her tours were known for their fun filled evenings in Japan eating, singing, and dancing. She would end each tour with her famous "chicken dance." Eventually, Edna moved in to the Arcadia Senior Residence where she lived after Al passed away. Edna loved her Arcadia family and they were a big part of her life. Upon moving in she was happily reunited with former tour members, classmates, and made lots of new friends which lasted seven years. During her final days friends and relatives travelled to Hawaii from Japan and the mainland to share stories about the good ole days, as she knew her time was limited after withdrawing from dialysis. She had a steady stream of visitors right up until the end. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on the evening of 7/17/17. On behalf of Edna, the family would like to thank the many well wishers who visited her, with many thanks to the nursing staff, administrators, and the Island Hospice Team. Edna is survived by her daughter, Susan (husband Jim) Quimby; son, Roy (wife Kwan); two grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; younger brother, George Tsukazaki; youngest sister, Martha Fujimoto, and dozens of relatives and cousins. The family will celebrate her life with a brief memorial service at the Arcadia Senior Residence on 1434 Punahou Street; 3pm visitation, 4pm service on Thursday, August 10, 2017. Catering is by Zippy's and free valet parking. Edna requested no flowers and no monetary koden, please. Be ready to chicken dance. Arrangements Provided By: HOSOI GARDEN MORTUARY
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
