Linda Akemi Yamaguchi Zee

Our family lost our beautiful and loving mother on August 27, 2020. She was known to many as Linda or Akemi, Mama Zee, Grandma Zee, Oneisan, Auntie, Auntie Baba, Zee-Zee; and Mom or Mama to daughters Nancy and Julia. She would graciously smile and answer to anyone who addressed her. Many of her friends have told us since her passing that she was like a shining light whenever she talked with them or looked their way. Many who may be reading her story will recognize the part you played in her life and hopefully smile at the many happy memories you shared.

Akemi was born on May 6, 1934 in Kobe, Japan to Yoichi and Asa Yamaguchi, brother Junichiro was born 3 years later and sister Hiroko was born 11 years later. She had many happy memories with her family - her father was in the import/export agricultural industry, and her mother a housewife. What began as a happy childhood changed when her father passed away in 1941 and became worse later that year when World War II engulfed Japan and the U.S.

Surviving in post-war Japan was difficult for most of the country – and so it was for Asa as a single mother of three. As Akemi grew older, she was able to find work (often as a model) to help Asa support the family. All this would change in 1953, when she met and soon married Charles (Charlie) Zee; a cook with the U.S. Merchant Marines. For the next 6 years until Charlie resigned from the Merchant Marines, they settled into family life in Kobe; with daughters Nancy and Julia. They opened a restaurant that Charlie named after her called "Linda's" – that Akemi would manage while he was at sea. In 1959, the family immigrated to Seattle with the help of Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Yang of the Chinese Consulate-general office. Through their connections, Charlie and Linda were able to get established into the local Chinese and Japanese communities, buy a house, find work in the restaurant industry, and raise their family.

Initially Linda was a stay-at-home mother and housewife until they got fully settled into the community. She took English classes at Edison Technical College, learned to drive, and worked as a waitress in restaurants that catered to Japanese/Asian cuisine (Polynesia restaurant, Canlis, and Bush Garden). At one point, with Charlie, they even managed a local diner near the UW campus, Skippers Grotto. Linda wanted to maintain connection with her Japanese cultural roots - she became involved with the Japanese Congregational Church, singing in the choir and taking part in various church and social activities (picnics, holiday socials, clam digging, matsutake mushroom hunting, and dancing at the Seattle Obon Festival to name a few).

Linda made friends quickly with her outgoing personality, and took part in various community activities and joined ladies groups such as Kisaragi-Kai where she was one of the founding members. Her involvement with the Japanese community included taking lessons in classical dance, traditional flower arrangements (Ikebana) – Sogetsu style, and Japanese calligraphy. In Kisaragi-kai, Linda became the entertainment director and even served as President for a 2-year stint. As entertainment director, Linda would organize musical programs for various organizations such as Cherry Blossom Festival and Keiro Nursing Home. Her graceful presentations, style and lively personality was often noted by her audiences. Linda was even recognized by the Seafair Japanese Community Queen committee as a valuable resource in helping dress the Japanese Community Queen and her court in traditional Kimono and Obi – in full regalia.

With her many close friends, Linda would take frequent trips back to Japan to visit family and friends as well as travel to different destinations around the world (Hong Kong, China, Australia, Panama, etc.) They would also socialize at family get-togethers during the holidays and their Japanese New Year celebrations were all day events. Linda also loved to cook – she learned how to cook Japanese style on her own and with her friends. Many of her friends would enjoy her specialty Inari-sushi and Shu-mai (dumplings) made from scratch. Another activity Linda shared with her close friends involved social gambling - playing card games such as poker or Hana-fuda (Japanese Flower card game). When local area Tribal casinos began sprouting up, they would go and play slot machines and have fun – Asobi.

Linda worked primarily in the restaurant industry; but she also worked in the floral industry, specializing in Japanese-style arrangements. However, her most significant “employment” was in the lumber industry – with Shimizu Lumber Company of Shikoku, Japan. Linda was the President of I-Line Corporation which was the Seattle branch of Shimizu Lumber Co. She also served as a resource or guide/translator to the Seattle area for various members of the Shimizu family. As the company was expanding into Canada and the Pacific Northwest, Linda would invite many of the Shimizu family to stay at her home during their business trips and would often accompany them to Canada as well. Linda would frequently drive back and forth to Vancouver to help with business and household matters. Through her work with Shimizu Lumber, Linda got to travel to new destinations oftentimes traveling to remote forested locations by helicopter. Linda’s relationship with the Shimizu family has continued long past the end of her actual work responsibilities.

Linda lived a full and happy life and her family and close friends were the center of her world. She was always happy to be part of any family get-togethers or outings - always looking to see that everyone was having as good a time as she was. We were so blessed to have her in our lives – she will live in our hearts forever.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents Yoichi and Asa Yamaguchi, her brother, Junichiro Yamaguchi, and her loving husband, Charlie Zee. She is survived by her daughters Nancy Quan and Julia Zee, Son-in-Law Don Quan, Grandchildren Bryanna Quan, Joe Quan (Alyssa), Sister Hiroko Kido, Niece Sachiko Lamba (Claudiu, and their children Alex and Erica). As well as countless friends who have been impacted by her loving and giving presence.

A private memorial service was held at Sunset Hills Cemetery on September 24, 2020.