Harumi Komoriya

Her parents immigrated to America. She was the first child, and had a younger sister Kiyomi and a younger brother Harry (Hideaki). Harumi and her siblings were United States citizens, and when Harumi was 10 years old, the children and Hide went to Japan to visit relatives. Kenichi was not able to come. While they were in Japan, Hide passed away. Harumi, Kiyomi and Harry couldn't travel without an adult so they stayed in Japan with relatives until finishing high school. While in Japan, Harumi lived near the seaside and learned to be a very good swimmer.

She was not reunited with her sister and brother until they all finished high school and they moved back to the U.S. The whole family didn't see each other for 8 years. In Japan they didn't speak English so they had to learn Japanese. When they all came back to America they didn't remember English so they had to learn it all over again.

Harumi was married to Mitsuo Komoriya on September 22, 1935. Their only child, George, was born September 11, 1938. After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, her whole family was sent first to Camp Harmony in Puyallup on May 1, 1942. Then they were sent to Minidoka Concentration Camp in Idaho on September 1, 1942. Her family had to sell their grocery store business.

In July 1943 the Komoriyas went to Cincinnati, Ohio, to work for a wealthy family. After the war was over, they came back to Seattle in November 1945. They worked for Dr. and Mrs. William Hutchinson until April of 1948. Then they worked for Mrs. Kiyo Motoda managing a hotel from May 1948 to April 1969.

Their son George married Linda Landoni on August 10, 1968. Unfortunately, George and Linda were killed in an automobile accident on their honeymoon, August 23, 1968.

Harumi and Mitsuo lived on Terry Avenue in Seattle's First Hill until April 1988, when they moved to Hilltop House, a retirement community. Harumi loved to do puzzles, play bingo and cards, go to restaurants and cook.

Harumi was a long-time member of Japanese Baptist Church in Seattle, Washington, where she shared her sukiyaki recipe that has been enjoyed at the annual Sukiyaki Dinner for many years.

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Misao Miyamoto. She is also survived by her nephew, Richard Nomura, his wife Pam and their daughters Morgan and Erica; and her nephew Dean Nomura, his wife Leslie and his daughter Cylena. Harumi was predeceased by her husband, Mitsuo, brother Harry Miyamoto and sister Kiyomi Nomura.

A Memorial Service for Harumi will be held at Japanese Baptist Church, 160 Broadway, Seattle, WA, on Sunday, March 11 at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Japanese Baptist Church.

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