Meri Meriko (Okamoto) Umino
January 20, 1922 – October 11, 2017
Meri Meriko Umino, age 95, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 11th 2017 in Stockton, California. She was born on January 20, 1922 in Stockton to James Naoichi and Yoshikiku (Iwahashi) Okamoto. Sister Helen Chizuko (Reverend Yoshio) Iwanaga (dec), brother Tom Tsutomu (Frances) Okamoto (dec) and Alice Aiko Okamoto (dec). Meri attended Stockton Junior College and graduated on January 13, 1942.
During WWII, Meri and her family were placed in an internment camp, in Rohwer, Arkansas, along with all other Japanese Americans living on the west coast. While in Rohwer, Meri graduated from Damashita Sewing School, where she learned the skillful art of sewing and dressmaking.
On September 14, 1947, she married her loving husband, Al Umino and together they brought into this world, a beautiful daughter, Cathy (Umino) Harada. Meri and Al were happily married for 64 years.
Meri worked as a Secretary for the Stockton Unified School District and later retired after over 20 years of service. As a devoted member of the Stockton Buddhist Temple, Meri was also a member of the Women’s Association, Tomono Kai, and JACL. She enjoyed cooking, traveling with her dear friends, going on shopping trips, watching Dancing with the Stars, and attending all of her grandchildren’s sporting events.
She is survived by her daughter Cathy Harada and husband Ron; grandchildren Devon (Eddie) Costa, Brett Harada; nieces Patti (Kent) Yep, Wendy (John) Ichiuji, Reiko (wife of late nephew Gordon Mutsumi Iwanaga); nephew Rio (Kimie) Iwanaga; brother in law Shim (Carol) Umino, and numerous great nieces and nephews. She will also be sincerely missed by Jacquie (Ken) Oshidari, Susan (Kevin) Wong and caregiver, Ester Caballero.
A Celebration of Life service will take place Saturday, November 4, 2:00 pm at the Stockton Buddhist Church, 2820 Shimizu Drive Stockton, California.
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