Lillian Yuriko Yamamoto
September 8, 1936 - March 30, 2013
Obituary
Lillian Yuriko Yamamoto was born on September 8, 1936 in Seattle to Kumaki and Hatsu Iwago. She married Joe Yamamoto in 1956. On March 30, 2013 she lost her battle to Wilson’s Disease and passed away peacefully in her sleep with family by her side.
In 1943 during World War II, Lillian and her family were sent to the Minidoka Relocation Center in Idaho and returned to Seattle in 1945. She graduated from Garfield High School in 1954. Lillian met Joe in her senior year and asked him to a school Tolo dance. After the dance, Joe returned the date and they were together since. In April 1954, Joe was drafted into the Army. She waited for him for two years and passed the time by visiting his sister, Toshi. Lillian knew Joe’s family better than she knew him! They married in December 1956. Over the next six years, Joe and Lillian had four children: Linda, Sharon, Diane and Bill.
Lillian worked for Sakahara and Fujiyama Insurance Agency as a bookkeeper. She was forced to quit her job due to complications from her Wilson’s disease.
One of Lillian’s greatest joys was spending time with family. She loved the outdoors especially the fishing trips she took with Joe. Every year, they took trips to Bonneville Dam for shad fishing and camping with family and friends. Lillian took joy in canning shad and sharing it. Lillian also loved to sew and made numerous gifts for others.
She is preceded in death by her parents Kumaki and Hatsu Iwago, and granddaughter Nicole Taylor. Lillian is survived by her husband Joe Yamamoto; daughters Linda (Robert) Billedo, Sharon (John) Taylor, Diane (Wilbur) Lee; and son Bill (Marilyn) Yamamoto; as well as grandchildren Jeffery, Danielle, Janine, Cory, Pamela, Marissa, Carly, Brent, Samuel and great-grandson Darius. She is also survived by two sisters, Janet (Hideo) Kato and Marion (Ronald) Ohira and numerous relatives.
Her family expresses heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Jennifer Trieu, Dr. Carol Haymon, Dr. Anne Larson, and Providence Hospice of Seattle.
A celebration of Lillian’s life will be held on Sunday, April 14th at 3pm at Japanese Presbyterian Church-1801 24th Ave So, Seattle, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to your favorite charity.
My deepset sympathies to the Yamamoto family. Lillian was a wonderful person and joy to be with.
we are so sorry to hear about Lillians passing.. our thoughts and prayers are with you Joe ,and your children
Aunty Lillian will always be in my heart and memories. My deepest sympathy and condolences to Uncle Joe and family.
We so enjoyed visiting w/Lillie (& Joe) at the luncheons. She was such an interesting gal with some special stories that we so enjoyed hearing about. We know Lillie will be so very much missed by all her family and friends. A life ended too soon… a life lived well.
She was a lovely lady. Now she is an angel watching over her wonderful family. She will be missed. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Sure miss you Mom!
Hi Mom…..It’s been a year and we all miss you so very much. I know you are no longer hurting and in a much happier place. Much happier than any of us here can even imagine. Hugs and kisses to you mom…can’t wait until the day we see each other again! Love you!!!!
Deepest condolences for your loss. I found this obituary while doing genealogy research for my family tree. It seems that Lillian might be related to my grandmother, Miyeko Ohashi. I would love to get in contact with you to compare notes.