Yaeko Johnson's Obituary
Yaeko Yamane was born on February 17, 1925 in Tokyo, Japan to parents Yasuguro and Tome Yamane. She was one of six children. She had one brother and four sisters. She met her husband, Emerson, in Tokyo, Japan in 1946. Emerson was 22 and Yaeko was 21. They got married on November 6, 1951. Their first house in the United States was in Ft. Warden, located in Port Townsend. They later moved to Salishan, then to Ft. Lewis before finally settling into their long-term home on Melrose Street in Tacoma, WA. Her first job in the States was as a maid at B.O.Q. (Bachelor Officer Quarters). She later worked for many years as a seamstress at the Item House where she retired at the age of 65.
Yaeko lived a full life. She stayed active and had many pastimes. She enjoyed performing traditional Japanese dance, helping to dress dancers for Kabuki, listening to Japanese music and cooking Japanese food, singing Karaoke, shopping, taking trips to visit her family in Tokyo, and spending time with her friends and family. She was nurturing and supportive and always made sure everyone who came to her house had plenty to eat. Her love for those who were close to her was always apparent.
On September 20, 2022, she passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her oldest son Ricardo, daughter-in-law Sheryl, second son Darwin, daughter-in-law Laila May, and son-in-law Roger; her grandchildren, Kiyona (Corey), David, Korey, Kari, Shayla Rose (Dex), Trevor (Kurt), and Kristen (Clayton); her great-grandchildren, Savanna (Tony), Kayla, Chloe, Corey Jr. (Maiya), Devon, Kymani, Sophia, Kaiya, Maliyah, Isabella, and Sophie; her great-great grandchildren, Zachariah and Ollie, and a host of family and friends. Yaeko was preceded in death by her parents Yosuguro and Tome Yamane, her husband Emerson Johnson, her daughter Alyce, her brother Tomio, and sisters Shizuko, Masako, Yoshiko, and Tomiko.
Yaeko was a very caring and kind person. Her laugh was contagious and she had a great sense of humor. She was one of a kind and will truly be missed.
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