Obituary of Miyoko Umemoto Shintaku

MIYOKO SHINTAKU passed away on July 29, 2009. She was born on April 24, 1920 in Wapato, Washington, to Ichitaro and Momi Umemoto. She graduated from Wapato High School in 1939 and went on to vocational school in Seattle to become a medical secretary. In 1942 she was evacuated with her family during World War II to Heart Mountain, Wyoming. After World War II she moved to Chicago, Illinois, for several years before moving back to the Yakima Valley. Upon returning to her Eastern Washington roots she became a hairdresser a career she engaged in for thirty years until she retired in 1986. In retirement she moved to Lynnwood to lovingly help care for her two granddaughters. Eventually after she stopped driving she moved to Seattle to be closer to her friends and her church. Miyo is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Doug Madison, her granddaughter, Lindsey (Lance Wicken), her three great grandsons, Josh, Nathan, and Ryan as well as her brother, Joe Umemoto (Fudge); her sister, Shigemi Hasegawaher sister-in law, Marianne Umemotoand many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Dennis; her granddaughter, Andrea; her brothers, Susumu (Choppy) and Jim Umemoto, and her sister, Bette Morihiro. Blaine United Methodist Church was the center of Miyos spiritual and social life. Her greater family circle included the Nomura-Sumida Familythe SugurosRichard, Mary, Barbie and Danny Kikuchi ; the Dodobaras; Reid and Laura Yamamoto; the Yasuda Family; the Jack Yamashita Family; and the Hayatsu Family. Each of these families as well others too numerous to mention and her many friends at Wisteria View Manor held a special place in Miyos heart. Ten months ago Miyo suffered a stroke and moved to Exeter House in Seattle for skilled nursing care. During this transition she made many new friendships with the staff and residents . She quickly adjusted to her new community and Exeter House became her home. Her family will be forever grateful for the extraordinary care she received at Exeter House where she was so graciously welcomed and was allowed to live with such respect and dignity. A Celebration of Miyos life will be held at Blaine United Methodist Church, 3001 24 th Avenue South; Seattle, WA 98144 on August 19, 2009 (Wednesday) at 3:00PM . In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Blaine United Methodist Church.