Born April 29, 1926 in Tokyo, Japan and laid to rest at Sakura Garden, on March 31, 2018.
Setsuko is survived by her three sons Rodney, Glenn, and Barney (Michie, daughter-in-law). She is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Justin, Kristen, Sean, and Sachi. She is also survived by Barney's dog, copper.
She was the first child of the Horie side of the family. Setsuko, with her three brothers and one sister spent her childhood in the Oimachi area of Tokyo.
Childhood life was probably simple since the family was not rich. Despite this, Setsuko grew up learning the good beliefs and values of those times. Like many who grew up in Tokyo during the 30’s and 40’s, she had memories of the tough life during World War II, all of which shaped her into the strong person she would become.
In the early 50’s, Setsuko was introduced to a Nisei American soldier, John Shiroma, by her brother Naokichi eventually married in 1953.
Setsuko and John stayed in the Tokyo area, where she and John raised their sons. Living near several U.S. military bases throughout those years, she adapted well to her new hybrid Japanese - American life while staying close to her own parents and siblings. She also learned very quickly, the ups and downs of raising three active boys, and how to keep everything on track.
As a young Mom, she not only kept the household in order but was active with her own hobbies and interests. She learned oil painting, hand crafted Japanese dolls, and made jewelry for friends, amongst the many other activities which filled her days.
In 1980, after John’s last federal government assignment in Japan, Setsuko and John moved to Carmel, California. Several years later, they would settle in San Jose.
Setsuko would experience the setback of her life, when John passed away due to cancer in 1991. At the relatively young age of 63, she began the life of a widow. Instead of quietly fading away, she moved forward with a fulfilling life like John would have wanted. She stayed active, engaged with family and friends, and kept busy with the grand kids. She would proudly tell people about her job at the Shueido Manju Shop in San Jose Japantown, a gig that spanned over 25 years.
When Grandma was a little girl, I don’t think in her wildest dreams, she could have imagined where life would eventually take her and everything she would experience. Through it all, in many ways, she was still the girl from Tokyo, steadfast in her beliefs and unwavering in the strong values that she learned decades ago.
Funeral service will be performed at the San Jose Betsuin (Buddhist temple) located at 640 North 5th Street, San Jose, CA 95112, in Japantown. (408) 293-9292. Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 4 pm (16:00 hrs.). Reverend Sakamoto residing. Final burial will be held at Punchbowl, HI where she can be reunited with John.
God bless, aloha, and thank you from the Shiroma family.
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