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Age 94, passed away peacefully in her home in Manoa on August 31, 2021. She lived a full life, totally dedicated to her family and close friends, for which we are all so very grateful.Gerry was born on May 2, 1927 in Holualoa, Kona and was raised by her paternal grandmother. She graduated from Hilo high school and made many lifelong friends. After graduating, she and Grandma Yoshihara moved to Honolulu, where she met her life partner, Thomas Yanagihara. They were married in 1948 and were forever known as "Tom and Gerry".
In 1953, Tom and Gerry bought a lot in Manoa valley, built their home where they raised their family and lived the rest of her life.
Gerry devoted her life to her husband, children and helping raise her grandchildren. She was the glue of the family and always had a Sunday get together dinner for the family. She was the best mother and grandmother anyone could hope to have.
She worked as an insurance underwriter at Select Underwriters, Ltd. and later as the office manager for the family company, T.K. Yanagihara, Inc. Among her favorite things to do were reading, crossword puzzles, cooking, traveling, visiting her two grandsons in Maui, Tai Chi and having breakfast every Saturday with her Hilo High friends. She was a long-time member of Harris Memorial United Methodist Church. Gerry was always so very outgoing and friendly and would talk to anyone she encountered, always with her friendly smile. At the Arcadia Adult Day Care Center, she attended later in life, she was affectionately called "Sunshine."
She is predeceased by her husband, Thomas and her daughter-in-law, Dale Yanagihara, father Robert Yoshihara, and brother, Gary Yoshihara. She is survived by sons, Arick and David Yanagihara, daughter, Toni (Earl) Takahashi, sisters Thelma (Cecil) Farin and Ann Omuro and grandchildren, Dawn Yanagihara, Erin (Marc) Miyaki, Gabriel and Zachary Yanagihara and two great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Arcadia Adult Daycare and Navian Hawaii for their support.
Private services and inurnment were held at the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, where she joined her beloved husband, Thomas.
No monetary offerings please.
Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary
