Masae Goss

Mrs. Masae Goss, of Brunswick, GA went to rest peacefully with her family by her side on Jan. 18, 2018. She was either 83 years old, or 27, depending on if you asked her directly. She lived a fascinating and eventful life and she loved and was loved fiercely by her family.

Masae, or Marty as she was sometimes called by those who couldn’t master her Japanese name, was born on November 1, 1934 in Imperial Tokyo Japan. Her father was killed in action while she was still an infant, and so her mother, Mrs. Satoe Sato, frequently left her in the care of her grandfather. She recalled those early days with great fondness and would describe being coddled and spoiled by her grandfather. He was proud of her academic prowess, especially in soroban (Japanese math system), and was irate when her left-handedness provoked beatings from the school master when learning to write Japanese characters (kanji). Because she would ultimately be unable to complete her education due to the war, she would later be especially proud of her daughters’ college graduations.

It was most likely from her grandfather that her great strength in adversity originated. She tells a story of a boy throwing rocks at her and causing her head to bleed. When she arrived back at home, her grandfather sent her back out to confront the boy and return the favor. Don’t start a fight, he advised, but certainly give back as good as you get.

That strength of character stood her in good stead when children were evacuated out of Tokyo due to bombing raids. She was sent out into the mountainous countryside, where she was malnourished and starving. The bomb raids occurred between 1942 – 1945, so Masae would have been between 7 and 10 years old at that time. After a particularly destructive air raid that caused damage to her family home, Masae’s grandfather made a days long trek to retrieve her and bring her home. If the family was going to die, he reasoned, they would all die together rather than Masae being left an orphan.

Masae was devastated when her grandfather passed away. The following years were difficult in occupied Japan, but Masae would go to live with her mother and help out in the family restaurant as she grew into a young woman.

Masae’s happiest memories begin when she started working at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan, at the airmen’s club. She didn’t speak any English, but she had the menu memorized, and she worked as a waitress and lived in a dorm on the base. It was during this time that she met and married Mr. Thomas Tyron Goss of Brunswick, GA, on May 20, 1964. During Mr. Goss’ military service, they lived in Japan, California, Colorado, and New York before settling back in Brunswick, GA in 1984.

There, Masae entered the food service industry with jobs at Mighty Caseys at the Glynn Place Mall, with ARAMark within the FLETC complex, and Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island. During her retirement years Masae could often be seen outdoors in loose cotton pants and big floppy hat. She loved doing yard work and tending to her flowers. She also had a herd of cats who followed her around the yard and played by her side.

Those who knew Masae remember her sweet smile and ready wit. She was quick to joke and fiery when provoked. She was an incredible cook, talented at ikebana (Japanese flower arranging), and a dab hand at poker. She won trophies at bowling and karaoke. She was a selfless mother, adoring grandmother, and loving wife.

Survivors include her husband, Thomas Goss; three daughters, Matsue Uchida, Lisa Jerome, and Teresa Goss; sister, Yoshiko Sato; son-in-law, Steve Jerome; grandsons, Sean Jerome and Takaaki Uchida; granddaughters, Julia Jerome, Hiromi Shiojima, Naomi Uchida, and Manami Uchida; and numerous great-grandchildren.

To any who wish to do so, the family requests that a small donation be made to a cancer research organization in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements are entrusted into the care of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home www.edomillerandsons.com