She attended community college and left Japan in the early 1950s to live in America. She lived in the Bush Hotel and was employed in a local café. She was befriended by the owners of Frank's Jewelry Store and was introduced to her future husband Dick Matsuhira. They were married one year after their first meeting on July 23, 1957. They were happily married for five years until Dick's passing in 1962. On May 1, 1964 she married Takeo Kuwanoe, one of Dick's best friends and they were happy for 19 years until Takeo's death in 1983.
Tomoko is survived by her three daughters: Diana Riley, Lesley (Brian) Okura and JoAnne (Dr. Steve) Nakamura; five grandchildren Melissa (Denton) Ward, Carrie Okura, Stacey (Pierson) Shimon, Jordan Nakamura and Ricky Nakamura; and two great grandsons Reed and Ryder Ward.
Donations may be directed to Kokoro Kai, Konko Kyo Church of Seattle or your favorite charity.
