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Ellen, 93, passed away peacefully at her home in the late afternoon of August 5, 2022. She was a simple, humble, accepting, patient and kind hearted person who gave unconditional love and support to her family.She was born in the plantation town of Moloaa, Kauai but was raised in Wailuku, Maui by her maternal grandmother when her mother became ill.
Later she returned to Kauai at the age of 9 to rejoin her family of one sister (Nancy) and three brothers (Frank, Satoru, Toshio). After graduating from Kauai High School she moved to the big city of Honolulu to attend Honolulu Business College. In Honolulu, she met her future husband, Saburo Tanaka. They were married for 62 years until his passing in 2017.
She worked in various clerical jobs and retired from the City & County Motor Vehicle Department of Honolulu in 1986.
She had a long and happy life filled with many family gatherings; travels to many mainland destinations (especially Las Vegas), Canada, Europe, Alaska, New Zealand, China, Australia and Japan; growing her plants, crocheting & knitting; watching Japanese mystery programs and Soko Ga Shiritai; and meeting up with other retirees at the Hawaii Kai McDonalds. Her later years were spent dealing with Parkinson's Disease which eventually led to her passing.
She will be dearly missed by her family - Children: Lloyd Tanaka (Cheryl), Jason Tanaka (Carole) and Faye Onuma (Darel); Grandsons: Cody, Ty, Tris and Warner; Sister: Nancy Shimada; Caregiver: Amy and her family (Daniel, Julia and little DJ) who so lovingly and patiently gave her the best care ever in the last 8 years of her life.
A private ceremony was held at Hosoi Garden Mortuary on September 29, 2022. Her urn was later taken to the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl where she will forever rest next to Saburo.
Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary
