Yoshie Mary Tashima

Yoshie Mary Tashima — beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend — died quietly in her sleep on April 13, of natural causes. She had just celebrated her 92nd birthday on April 5. Yoshie is survived by her husband of 66 years, Yoshiyuki “Yas”; daughter, Patricia, of San Francisco; son, Craig, formerly of Galt and devoted caretaker of both parents; grandson, Jackson, of Santa Cruz; and several nieces and nephews, including Hideo  Sugita of Riverside. Yoshie was born on April 5, 1926 in Tokyo, Japan, earlier than expected when her parents Giju and Kikuo Sugita were visiting. The family returned to Los Angeles when Yoshie was three months old. She later became a U.S. citizen Yoshie was predeceased by two brothers, Yoshiaki “Sharky” and Yoshifumi “Jim”, and a sister who died in infancy. A huge sports fan, Yoshie played center for the girls’ basketball team at James A. Foshay Junior High school. She enjoyed being a Los Angeles Lakers season ticket holder and loved the UCLA Bruins. Most fun was rooting for Craig during high school football season and Jackson during baseball from the time he could swing a bat. Yoshie was a sophomore at John H. Francis Polytechnic High School when Executive Order 9066 relocated persons of Japanese ancestry from the west coast in 1942. The Sugita family was moved first to temporary barracks at Santa Anita Racetrack, then to an internment camp in Amache, Colorado where Yoshie and her mother remained for the duration of World War II. Upon release, they spent time in Omaha, Nebraska before returning to Los Angeles to start a dry cleaning business. Yoshie went on to become a cosmetologist and married Yas in 1952. After both their children began school, she joined Alpha Beta Markets first as a cashier, then bookkeeper and florist. She and Yas both retired from Alpha Beta after long careers.  Yoshie died in the home she and Yas had custom-built in 1960, on land they originally purchased as a chicken ranch. While Yas worked full-time for Alpha Beta, Yoshie collected and packaged eggs for delivery throughout Orange County. They razed the ranch in 1959 to build their home. Yoshie enjoyed gardening, knitting and shopping. No store window or mall escaped her notice. Her motto was “Never look dowdy” and to the end, had her hair done every week. A dog lover, Yoshie found great comfort in a new family member, Amy, a dachshund/chihuahua mix the family rescued two years ago. Amy provided much happiness especially during Yoshie’s final days. She has been described by many as warm, sweet, fun, loving, classy and elegant. Most of all Yoshie was strong and dignified. And will be missed by all Viewing will be held on April 19, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at McAulay & Wallace Funeral Home, 902 N. Harbor Boulevard, Fullerton.