Mae Hoshino Masuda

May 28, 1923 – Feb. 12, 2016

Mae Masuda passed away after a long illness surrounded by her loving daughters at Crescent Villa in Sunnyvale, CA, her home of five years. Mae was born in Pendleton, OR, to Katsunosuke and Yoshi Hoshino. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Edith and Helen, and brothers George, Harold, James, and Ed.

In 1947, Mae graduated from Mother Cabrini Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago and was a proud member of the Cadet Nursing Corps. After nursing school, Mae met her future husband, Henry Masuda, in Seattle, WA. In 1948 they were married and in 1949 the couple moved from Washington to California, where their three daughters, Barbara, Dianne and Patricia were born. Hank and Mae were long-time residents of San Jose and were happily married for 52 years before Hank’s passing in 2001. Mae had a rewarding nursing career at San Jose Hospital, working her way to the position of Head Nurse in the Labor & Delivery department.

Mae loved to travel. She travelled extensively to Europe, Asia, and Central America. She and Hank also spent many RV vacations with special friends and relatives visiting sites throughout the United States. During her travels, Mae tried parasailing and surfing, and also satisfied her adventurous spirit by taking up skiing.

Mae enjoyed many arts and crafts hobbies including bonsai, bunka (Japanese embroidery) and fashioning flowers from sheets of silk, all very painstaking, meticulous work that produced beautiful works of art.

Mae is survived by daughters Barbara (Ken) Kelly, Dianne (John) Laumann, and Trish (Joe) Howell. She is also survived by grandchildren Dana Kelly Melsom, Diane Kelly Hecht, Kevin and Scott Laumann, Stephanie and Kimberly Howell and great-grandchildren Thomas and Amelie Melsom, and Joshua and Alexis Hecht, sister-in-law Sumi Hoshino, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Crescent Villa for their extraordinary care and Hospice of the Valley for their compassionate services during her last few months.

Private services have been held. In lieu of flowers and koden, donations may be made to Yu-Ai Kai, Wesley United Methodist Church or Hospice of the Valley in San Jose. Please share your memories of Mae at the Willow Glen Funeral Home online Guest Book.