OBITUARY: Mary Shizuko Ishida (née Mizono)

Mary Shizuko Ishida

ISHIDA (NÉE MIZONO), SHIZUKO, MARY was born on Feb. 21, 1921 and passed away on June 10, 2011 at her home in the Inner Richmond with her family by her side. Mary was born in San Francisco where she grew up in a house on Steiner Street. During World War II, she traveled across the country to follow her first husband, Kunio Hattori, while he was in training as a soldier for the 442nd Battalion. After her husband was killed in action, she returned to California where she met her second husband, Bill Ishida. They lived in San Francisco before moving to Reno, Nevada. After a couple of years, they returned to the Bay Area, settling in Campbell, Calif., where they lived for over 50 years.

Mary trained in the field of fashion and often worked as a tailor to alter the uniforms of naval officers during the war. Later, she taught classes in tailoring and alteration while raising her family in Campbell. When Bill passed away, she returned to her birthplace of San Francisco to be closer to her siblings and extended family.

She is survived by three children, Karole, Mary Jane, and Ronald Ishida; two grandchildren, Genever and Alison McBain; and one great-grandchild, Mackenzie Leonard. A memorial service will be held at the Buddhist Church of San Francisco on Sunday, June 26 at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Humane Society or Kimochi.