October 19, 2020, Tatsuko Takano Chambers, of Highland, California, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by her daughters, and was reunited with her beloved husband, Cleo Mack Chambers who predeceased her August 26, 2020. She was 90 years old. Tatsuko was born in Hiroshima, Japan, March 15, 1930. Having survived the atomic bombing of her home city and the trauma of WWII as a teenager, Tatsuko dedicated herself to making the world a better place for family and friends. She would have told you her education was interrupted by the war, but she was an avid reader, letter writer, and lifelong learner, and she modeled those attributes for her children and grandchildren. Post WWII, while working at the Base Exchange, Yokosuka, she met and married her beloved husband, Cleo Mack Chambers, who was to be her helpmate, partner, and constant companion for 67 years. Tatsuko was a devoted wife, fierce and loving mother, and uniquely supportive grandmother. She was a bright shining guide star to all who knew her. Throughout her life, she was very active in the USMC communities where Cleo was stationed, offering her talents as a gifted seamstress, illustrator of USMC manuals, talented artisanal home cook, Sogetsu-ryu Ikebana flower designer, and volunteer cultural exchange teacher of Japanese traditional singing and folk dance. She was a proud employee of Hughes Aircraft.
Tatsuko is survived by her daughters: Sharon Corkrum, Shadi Letson, Jeanie Ballard and Sonia Hinkley; Sons-in-Law: Robert Corkrum, Bill Letson, Robin Ballard and Jeff Hinkley; grandchildren: Joshua Chambers-Letson, Chad Hinkley, Hei Young Koh, Cathy Corkrum and Lauren Klipp, as well as her brother and sister and many nieces and nephews, living in Japan.
A 30-minute Service will be held for Tatsuko at Riverside National Cemetery, located at 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518 on Monday, November 9, 2020 at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Toys for Tots via Sonia Hinkley.
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