Madoka "Mary" Nishida

Madoka “Mary” Nishida (nẽe Morimoto) was born to Yoshio and Kagi Osumi on February 11, 1928 in Mitake, located in the Kani District in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Mitake is located on the outskirts of Nagoya, Japan.

She was adopted by her relatives, Kanichi and Nobu Morimoto as a toddler after her mother passed away and her father could not care for her and five older sisters, who were also adopted by different families. She grew up in Aioi, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Mary’s adoptive father was often away working as a lineman for the power company. She had a strict upbringing as a young child. Her adoptive mother scolded her when she was just “one minute” late returning home.

During World War II, the U.S. conducted incendiary bombing raids in the area where Mary lived and had a blockade to prevent ships from supplying Japan with oil and raw materials. She and her community suffered greatly as there were food shortages and they sometimes had to survive by eating grass.

After the war, Catholic missionaries served the area where Mary lived and established a high school and the foundations of what is now Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. The University’s motto is “Hominis Dignitati—for the dignity of all human beings.” Nanzan’s vision is to "empower the individual to become a power in and for the world.”

Mary pursued her higher education and graduated with honors in English. She then taught English at a high school associated with Nanzan University. She had an opportunity to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship to study abroad. Mary knew she did not want to be a “frog in a pond,” meaning a frog who spends its life in a pond has a limited perspective and will not know about the world outside. Also during that time in Japan, women were expected to be homemakers and mothers. With her Fulbright scholarship, she moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. She studied anthropology, education, and nursing.

Her U.S. sponsor, Grace Kennedy, a successful Seattle businessperson supported international exchange students. Grace helped Mary get acclimated to her new country and became a close family friend.

While at the University of Washington, she met her future husband, Tsunetaro “Charles” Nishida who was also a Fulbright scholar. The couple decided to stay in the Seattle area to raise two children. They eventually became U.S. citizens.

Mary sometimes worked several jobs at a time to help support her family including working at a bank, a bicycle company and at The Grove Restaurant in downtown Seattle. Together with her husband, they eventually saved enough money for a down payment on a house while also sending money back home to their families in Japan.

During her retirement years, Mary was able to enjoy her passion traveling to different countries including Egypt, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and Australia. She also rode on the transcontinental train across Canada and sailed on a cruise ship through the Panama Canal.

She also loved animals by adopting several pets that needed a home as well as supporting several animal welfare organizations.

Mary was a very sociable person. She attended and sang in the choir at St. Luke’s Catholic Church and belonged to several Japanese cultural associations. She loved gathering with family and friends at picnics, birthdays, church, and cultural events.

Mary passed away peacefully on July 4, 2024 in Redmond, Washington. She is survived by her son, Felix, daughter-in-law, Noelle, daughter, Marie and son-in-law, Jim Myers. Sadly, she could not connect with her sisters in Japan after they were adopted by various families.

Her strong will and determination will never be forgotten. Her bright personality and radiant smile will be missed.