A memorial service will be held on June 18th 2016, at the SLO Buddhist Temple, 6996 Ontario Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, at 11:00 A.M.
Masako Lilly Shimonishi, passed peacefully at the age of 93, at her home in Paso Robles, CA on May 11, 2016, with her daughter and granddaughters by her side.
Masako was born to Iwazo and Tsuna Shimamoto on April 1, 1923 in Fresno, CA.
At 10 years old, she traveled to Japan to live with her uncle and received a Japanese education. Although, the first year was difficult, being so far from her family and home, she made many fond and happy memories of swimming in the ocean and going on adventures with her uncle. At the age of 18, she returned to the U.S on the last boat from Japan just before WWII broke out.
Soon after, her family was interned in the Japanese Internment camp in Jerome, AR. After the war ended, she returned home with her family in Selma, CA.
In 1950, she married the love of her life, Tomeo Tony Shimonishi in Hollister, CA. This is where they would remain to raise their three children on the family ranch.
Tony passed in 1995, and in 2004, Masako moved to Paso Robles, CA to be with her daughter and three granddaughters.
She loved rides to the beach (especially Morro Bay), travelling, adventures, gardening, and family gatherings. Being with her children and grandchildren made her the happiest.
Her teachings and family recipes will continue with great care and love, the way she did it.
Masako will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant smiling and laughter, will never be forgotten.
Just before her passing, many family and friends arrived to say their goodbyes which was a tribute to the incredibly kind and caring person she was. She was the best mother, grandmother and friend anybody could ask for. Family was her everything and she will be missed immensely.
Masako is survived by her three children, Joanne Kiesewetter (John), Jenny S. McKinley, and Jack Shimonishi (Suzy), her nine grandchildren, Toni, Shelly, Alex, Jennifer, Missy, Allison, Johni, Jack, and Jessica, her six great-grandchildren, her sister, Mieko Furukawa and brothers, Toshio Shimamoto and Masao Shimamoto, her nieces and nephews and the rest of her relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, as well as her brother, Ichio Takeno.
