Toyoko Ishitani (Peggy) Covington's Obituary
Toyoko Ishitani (Peggy) Covington was born July 27, 1930, passed away peacefully in the morning hours of Sunday, January 26, 2025. Born in Korea to Japanese parents, Toyoko was the eldest of the siblings consisting of several sisters and a brother. She spent much of her early childhood growing up in Korea and as a teenager went with her father who was a government civil engineer touring Northern China and Manchuria. During WWII, Toyoko was training to become a nurse in Northern Korea where she had to evacuate south upon the invasion of Manchuria by the Soviet Red Army. Upon conclusion of the war, her family repatriated to Gifu-ken Japan.
Toyoko completed her education and was trained to be a seamstress. On August 31, 1954; she married her husband Robert Covington in Nagoya, Japan. They lived in Japan for two years where upon his transfer to Fort Lewis WA she followed him setting foot on American soil at Honolulu Hawaii on May 14, 1957 and later to the mainland. Toyoko and Robert established the first of their family with the birth of Zandrew on December 6, 1957 and later Edward on February 12, 1960. Toyoko became a naturalized US citizen on December 9, 1960.
As a result of marrying a Soldier, Toyoko had to navigate the life of military wife from 1957 to 1974 with its ups and downs. Moving from duty station to duty station over eight times with two being overseas (Germany and Okinawa) and she also endured three separations due to Robert’s unaccompanied tour of duties to Korea, and Vietnam (twice). It was during the tour of duty on Okinawa where she was able to see her mother for the last time in her life.
Toyoko greatest character was the importance of family and doing what it took to ensure they were taken care of and in that vein, she ensured that her son’s would receive the best education they (Toyoko and Robert) could provide. That meant she would learn English (not so much to speak) but grammar and mathematics to assist the boys with their studies. This meant that instead of the boys enjoying their summer’s off running around and playing; they were stuck at the kitchen table reading, working math problems in workbooks, and “enjoying” their summers with academic pursuits. Toyoko and Robert followed through with that commitment with both of her sons, graduating from college and the eldest with a graduate degree.
Toyoko and Robert made their home in Lakewood Washington upon his retirement in 1974. As the family expanded, she welcomed each addition with great interest, enjoying her time with her granddaughters. When faced with hardship, she was resilient and unwavering. Toyoko focused on holding the center together for her family. She embodied stoicism while simultaneously communicating love and intense devotion to her family through joyful interest in their lives. Navigating the personal loss with the passing of her husband Robert in 2019, she was relocated to Beaverton, OR to be closer to family. She is survived by her children, Zandrew and Edward; daughter-in-law Melodi, and three grandchildren, Alexandra, Rebecca, and Kelsey, and great granddaughter Juniper and her step children Betsy, Phillip, Julie, and five step grandchildren, Scarlet, Ryan, Sage, Abram, and Jocelyn. She will be missed.
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