Michele Yoshie Tanaka

Michele Yoshie Tanaka, nee Kimoto, died peacefully in her sleep at her home on her 101st birthday. Several family members were present to honor her and support her as she prepared to pass into eternal life. This marked the passing of the last surviving child of Towa and Kinzo Kimoto.

Michele was born on January 6, 1923, the sixth of eight children, at Kekaha Plantation on Kauai, Hawaii. Her first semester of college at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, was interrupted by the attack on Pearl Harbor, and she returned to her family in Kauai until the war's end.

In 1953, Michele and their two children joined her husband, Joseph Hideo Tanaka, in Pennsylvania. Nine years, and five additional children later, the family relocated to Anaheim, CA, before settling in Fullerton. Michele returned to the workforce as an aide at her childrens' elementary school before being promoted to a library aide at Norwalk-La Mirada School District. In this job, Michele enjoyed combining her love of reading and education with her willingness to mentor young students, teachers and coworkers until she retired at age 67. She resumed her education at Fullerton College and in 1994, at the age of 71, received her BA in English from Cal State University Fullerton.

In addition to her family and education, Michele valued her Catholic religion. She attended Mass daily and was deeply involved with her Church community at St Juliana Falconieri in Fullerton. Always willing to help wherever needed, Michele exuded the strength, joy and energy of those half her age. She especially enjoyed the friendships and activities she formed with the Young Ladies Institute (YLI) and the Bereavement Committee, which she headed until her 90th birthday!

In death, Michele is reunited with her husband, Joseph; her son, Robert; her grandchildren, Laura Wells and Ryan Mulcahy; her parents, Towa and Kinzo Kimoto; and siblings, Kenji, Gertrude Hideno, Frances Shizue, Ellen Ritsuko, Mamoru “Mamo”, Kay Kaoru, and James Tadashi.

Michele's legacy includes her children and their spouses, Megan Tanaka, Anne & Michael Mulcahy, Kasey & Bill Herr, James "King" & Rebecca Tanaka, Kelly & Bill Cole, Paul & Patti Tanaka, and daughter-in-law Cheryl Tanaka. She is also survived by her grandchildren and their spouses, Bob & Doreen Tanaka, Jeff & Sema Tanaka, Kari & Alan Aceto, Michele Mulcahy, Samantha Cole, James, Joseph & Jonathan Tanaka; and grandson-in-law, Dan Wells. Michele was blessed with 13 great grandchildren and their spouses, Nathan & Liz Kruger, Rachelle, Karina & Danielle Wells, Michael Tanaka, Ryan Tanaka, Nick & Ali Penich, Melissa Tanaka, Vivienne Penich, Jake Aceto, Luke Aceto, Jacob Tanaka, and Stephen "Spud" Antic; and two great-great grandchildren, Coda Mortenson, and Sofia Penich.

A Rosary will be held on Thursday, January 18, at 7 p.m. at McAulay & Wallace, Fullerton. A funeral Mass at St. Juliana's Church, Fullerton, is scheduled on Friday, January 19, at 10 a.m. with a reception immediately following in the Parish Hall. Inurnment alongside her parents and sisters at Diamond Head Memorial Park in Honolulu, will be held on January 29, at 2 p.m. Attendees at all events are encouraged to wear their favorite Hawaiian clothing as a tribute to Michele's never-ending and always present Aloha spirit.

Michele's family would like to thank St Juliana YLI and Bereavement Committee; Ana Ivanova, MD and Providence Hospice for their care and concern, especially Art, Patrick, Nalorie, Johny, Tiffany and Chaplain Susan. Special thanks to Willian and Dori Castro.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to YLI or to your favorite charity.