SHIMODA, BETTY, 89, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2017 in Sebastopol, Calif. surrounded by her family. She was born Hiroko Kojima on January 5, 1928 in Osaka, Japan.

She was a Corte Madera, Calif., resident from 1967, and then moved to Sebastopol, Calif. to live with her elder daughter and her family for the last 4 years.

She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Satoru “John” Shimoda of Sebastopol;
her two daughters and their families: Carol and David Hebel of Sebastopol and their two children, Jonathan and Cari; and Susan and Tadashi Tamai of San Francisco and their two children, Christina and Patrick. She has three great grandchildren: Jonah, Ella and Leila.

Mrs. Shimoda was proud to be a U.S. Army officer’s wife who lived and raised her children internationally. She was the original owner of Ocha-ya snack bar (now May’s Coffee Shop) when the Japanese Cultural and Trade Center in Japantown opened in 1968. Her generous and outgoing personality will be remembered by those who knew her. She always enjoyed shopping, people-watching and her evening glass of wine.

She was cremated at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park in Sebastopol. Per her request, there will be no ceremony. Donations can be made in memory of Betty Shimoda to your favorite charity or hospice.