Born on April 15, 1929, in Sacramento CA, she grew up scrubbing and peeling taro in Haleiwa, Hawaii since her father owned the Haleiwa Poi Factory. One of 8 children, she graduated from Ohio University with a degree in secondary business education. She then returned to Hawaii to teach kindergarten. Married Fumio Tanaka in 1952 who passed in 1977, and subsequently married Shokatsu Ishihara in 1984 who passed in 2011. She moved to The Arcadia Retirement Residence in 2011 where she became known as the 'queen of doing puzzles'. She also loved music and could sing the lyrics to current pop songs until her passing on December 19, 2020.
She is survived by siblings Norma Shiraki and Dr. George (Amy) Endow, daughters Colleen Umetsu and Andrea (Jon) Matsumoto, 4 grandchildren Trevor, Casey, and Joli Umetsu, Arisa Leahy and one great- grandchild Jace Umetsu.
Other hobbies she enjoyed included: dancing, singing and growing and arranging flowers. Private services will be held at Hosoi Mortuary and she will be put to rest with her first love, Fumio Tanaka. Arrangements Provided By:
Hosoi Garden Mortuary
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
