Yoshiko Sullivan

Yoshiko Sullivan, of Norfolk, died peacefully in Charlottesville, Virginia on November 26, 2016 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was born Yoshiko Tanno to Zenichiro and Fujie Tanno on January 8, 1938 in Yamagata, Japan. She trained in the family business as a barber. While working in a barber shop on a military base she met her husband, Daniel Sullivan. As a career military wife, Yoshiko traveled extensively and moved many times for her husband’s military orders. She eventually settled in Norfolk, upon her husband’s retirement. She loved traveling and experiencing different cultures and she made friends around the world, keeping up with many of them over the years. She was a self-professed tomboy who desired to learn bicycle repair and was proud to be one of the first women in her area of Japan to learn to drive a car. She was a wonderful cook and homemaker, and a gracious hostess. Yoshiko is survived by her husband of over 60 years, Daniel M. Sullivan, currently of Charlottesville, VA; her children: Amelia Ball and her husband Joseph of Blacksburg, VA; Charles Sullivan of Cleveland, OH; and Sarah Bender and her husband Timothy of Charlottesville, VA; and one grandson, Christopher Bender. Additionally, she is survived by her sister, Tomiko Otaki and her husband Shigenobu of Yokohama, Japan; sisters-in-law, Keiko Tanno of Yamagata, Japan, and Mary Jane Williamson and her longtime companion, Clyde Bonney, of Virginia Beach, VA; a cousin, Yukio Yamamoto of Yokohama, Japan; three nieces: Hiromi Tanno of Nagoya, Japan; Lisa Statts of Oak Park, CA; and Hisako Yoshida of Kurigidai, Japan; and one nephew, Kinya Otaki, of Yokohama, Japan. She was predeceased by her brother, Yoshihiro Tanno. The family wishes to recognize Yoshiko’s many caregivers for their much-appreciated service to her near the end of her life. We would like to thank the following in Norfolk: the staff of Home Instead, especially Shannon Windley, Lakaii Davis, Kechia Murray, Nicole Parlette, and Kelly Hale, who were with her most consistently and were devoted to their care of her; and Dr. Pedro Hasas and his staff. In Charlottesville: the staffs of Our Lady of Peace and Morningside Assisted Living and the staff of the Laurels of Charlottesville, who cared for her in her decline, including Lynne Radin, the nurses of Unit 3, especially Andi and Germaine, and her many caregivers. Also of special note are Nansi, Tiffany, and Casey for their exceptional care during her last months and Dr. Jonathan Evans for his medical guidance and optimistic approach to her care. She will be remembered as a devoted wife and mother, a doting grandmother and loyal friend. A private prayer service will be conducted at Teague Funeral Service in Charlottesville. A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, 818 Norview Avenue in Norfolk. A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 9, 2016 at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, with a reception to follow at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Norfolk. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation at www.pdf.org.