Nobu O. Oishi

OISHI, Nobu O., age 96, of Kettering, passed away Saturday, February 9, 2013. Born in Seattle, Washington the youngest of four, she had an active youth that included after-school evening Japanese language classes primarily to assist her in communicating with her non-English speaking parents. At age 12 her family moved to Long Beach, California where she learned to incorporate the native fruits and vegetables into dinner creations she enjoyed. Although she prepared the finest all-American pies, with crusts so delicately prepared, she also mastered the art of preparing the most superb sushi rolls. Here also in Long Beach is where she met the man who became her husband in 1940. A trying period began in 1942 when, pregnant with her first child, and the United States engaged in a fearful war with Japan made the ill-formed decision to re-locate 120,000 American citizens of Japanese ancestry to camps in various States. Given a few weeks to prepare, she and her husband reported to a temporary assembly center for relocation at the Santa Anita Race track in Angeles where within the month her first daughter was born. After shipping out to the Gila Bend camp in Arizona a second daughter was born 2 ½ years later. In an ironic twist of fate finally, her husband was actually inducted into the Army in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he served admirably in the Intelligence section using his bi-lingual skills to assist the war effort. Following the conclusion of the war, they left Minnesota, moving to Kettering where her third child, a son, was born. She was a long-time resident of Kettering, Ohio having maintained a residence for nearly 70 years. She enjoyed the friendship of nearly 30 years of her association with Greenmont-Oak Park Community Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Perry; her sisters, Tsuru & Tomiko; and her brother, Frank Ono. Left to cherish her memory are her three children, Carolyn T. Lauderback (Sanford K.), Marlene M. Gagen (Stephen C.), Kenneth R. Oishi (Emily) of Lake Oswego, Oregon; also survived by 7 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren, and a number of dear nieces and nephews. Known to many of her friends by her nickname “Nabby”, she will be remembered by all for her warmth and love, and most especially for her diligent care and service to the needs of family and friends. Her life-long, remarkable caring presence defined her, and her loss offers a void that will not be easily filled. She was a fine seamstress mastering both hand and machine skills as well as crocheting & knitting – this alone providing many quality gifts to family. A keen observer of structure and form, she could capably copy various fabric constructions. An avid follower of the Cincinnati Reds, she also loved to follow the action sports tennis, basketball, and football. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Tobias Funeral Home – Far Hills Chapel. The family will receive friends 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, February 16, 2013 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Greenmont-Oak Park Community Church, 1921 Woodman Dr., Dayton, Ohio 45420, in her memory. On-line condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com .