Masako M. Hughes-Perkins

Masako Margaret Hughes-Perkins, 60, of Seattle, Washington, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 20, 2014 at 2:45 am at the Park Rose nursing care facility in Tacoma, Washington. She was the daughter of Fumie and the late Wilburn Hughes. She was born March 29, 1954, in Sendai, Japan. On October 11, 19S8, she came to the United States with her parents from Tokyo aboard the ship US General Mitchell, leaving behind Kazuko Sato and many other relatives. No additional information is available on her family in Japan.

On April 7, 1967, a certificate of naturalization was issued, changing her name from Masako Hughes to Margaret Masako Perkins by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. Masako spoke Japanese fluently. She graduated from Garfield High School, and attended Seattle Central Community College. Masako worked for the US Postal Service. She became an active registered counselor for the State of Washington in 1999. Masako worked in social and human services programs as an intern for a Seattle drug treatment facility; an on-call shelter counselor for the Downtown Emergency Service Center; a Relief Case Manager for Compass Cascade; a chemical dependency intern for Seadrunar Treatment Facility; and was a women's advocate for the Women's Referral Center-St Mark's Shelter Seattle. Masako was a strong supporter of the Domestic Abuse Women's Network in Seattle.

Masako was preceded in death by her father Wilburn Hughes, of Bessemer, Alabama; stepfather Norris Perkins, of St. Louis, Missouri; great grandmother Susie Hughes; uncles; John Wesley and Henry Hughes of Seattle. Masako is survived by her mother, Fumie Okoshi Perkins, who currently resides at Providence Mt. St. Vincent nursing home in West Seattle; one daughter, Tamiko Perkins-Jeter, of Seattle; five grandchildren: Sade Perkins, Demario Perkins, of Seattle; Jahmichael, Anthony, and Jaden Jeter, of Seattle; one aunt, Ineva Hughes, of Seattle; and uncle, Clyde Caver, of Vancouver, Washington; many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

Masako accepted Christ into her life and was baptized on April 17, 2011. She attended Restoration Bible Church in Seattle. Masako worked tirelessly for many years to raise and provide for her grandchildren by providing a home, love, strict guidance and resources. She gave of herself unselfishly and made many sacrifices for her family. Masako's illness and declining health did not destroy her spirit; she was a woman of courage, strength, independence and a fighter. Mary Anne Jones was her rock and best friend for over 40 years and was her support during her illness. Her love for family and friends was unconditional.

In her honor we celebrate that, "no matter what goes on in your life, God is always ready to start over."