Marie Cecilia Ishii
February 18, 1932 - May 20, 2006
Obituary
Marie C. Ishii, age 74, passed peacefully on May 20, 2006 at her home with her family at her side. Marie is survived by her husband of 52 ½ years, George G. Ishii; four sons, James Roby Debra, David, Timothy Susan and Michael Dennis Ishii; one daughter Leslie Wesley Ishii-Mann; five grandchildren, Jacob, Erin, George, William and Mineyo; one great-grandson, Kenny; two sisters, Marcia Sakamoto-Wong and Justine Denise Sakamoto and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Marie was the eldest daughter of James and Misao Sakamoto, publishers of the Japanese American Courier newspaper and founding members of the Japanese American Citizen’s League JACL. She was a part of the Japanese American Maryknoll community in the central area of Seattle. At age 10, she and her family were forcibly evacuated to the Minidoka internment camp. After WWII, Marie, her mother and sisters relocated to St. Mary’s School in South Bend, Indiana while her father brought her grandparents back to Seattle. After several years later when the family was re-united in Seattle, Marie graduated from Immaculate Conception High School and attended Seattle University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Records. She was wed to George Ishii and their wedding was the last official event in the beloved Maryknoll Church before it was closed. Her faith was her guiding principle and she was respected for her quiet and reserved demeanor, kind smile, and compassion for others. She possessed a bedrock sense of quiet purpose and determination to right social injustice and strove to be of service to any who were suffering. This was reflected in the projects she involved herself in: teaching Catholic catechism to her own children and others, neighborhood community activism, school parent organizations, and a number of faith-based social justice activities. Locally, she was known as part of a neighborhood social justice activism duo with her neighbor and friend of over 30 years, Florence Richardson. The two raised their children together, worked jobs together, and Florence was at Marie’s side at the moment of her passing. For 20 years and up to the month before her death from Lou Gehrig’s disease ALS, Marie’s passionate work was coordinating a volunteer church program in support of the St. Martin de Porres Homeless Shelter. She was also a member of Pax Christi, a peace group, and worked for years as a volunteer for the Des Moines based non-profit, Pregnancy Aid. She was employed at Riverton General Hospital for 15 years as a medical information specialist. Marie raised 5 children whom she celebrated as her life’s greatest achievement and was devoted to caring for her sister Justine and ailing mother in her own home for over 10 years until Misao’s death in 2003. The love of her life was her best friend, partner and husband of 52 ½ years, George, who held her hand as she passed away quietly at home surrounded by family.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in Marie’s name to: St. Martin de Porres Programs, 1561 Alaskan Way South, Seattle, WA 98134, 206323-6341. Visitation will be held on Wednesday 05/24 from 12:00 Noon – 8:00 PM and Thursday, from 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA 206 242-1787. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday May 27th, 2pm, St. Philomena Church, 1790 S 222nd Street, Des Moines, WA. Inurnment, Holyrood Catholic Cemetery.
at immaculate conception h.sch
met marie sakamoto 1st/2nd year. she was a soft-spoken young girl who had a charming laugh. a special prayer will be said for her and her family. she was a special person. i will not forget marie. nena
Marie was a wonderful woman. So Sweet and caring. She will be greatly missed.
George, We wish to extend our condolences to you and your family upon the loss of Marie. We know she was the light of your life.
Ishii family,
I wish to extend my most heartfelt condolences to you in your hour of need. Marie has been a friend of mine since we were kids and picked strawberries together and school mates with Marcia and Denice. The Sakamoto family has been a huge part of our lives. I always admired Marie and it seems it was over way to soon.
Ishii family,
I wish to extend my most heartfelt condolences to you in your hour of need. Marie has been a friend of mine since we were kids and picked strawberries together and school mates with Marcia and Denice. The Sakamoto family has been a huge part of our lives. I always admired Marie and it seems it was over way to soon.
George, my heart aches with sorrow that Marie is no longer with us. My prayers continue – before they were for both of you, now they are for you. I pray that in due time you might find consolation and the blessing of rememberance that comes with the realization that you shared your life with a truly special person and that the love that you shared blessed many people through the wonderful children you had, as well as the way you both lived your faith in a special and loving way.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, George and your family. I remember teaching Leslie in religious ed when she was in 2nd or 3rd grade.
Our deepest sympathy on your loss. Joseph and Janice Wasden Price IHS 1950
We moved to Bow Lake when I was 12 and for the next 6 seemingly endless years, until I left for college, Marie and George were my “alternative” across-the-street parents, guardians and guidance counselors. One of those 6 birthdays George gave me my first gun… and Marie taught me how to avoid ever having to use it for more than sport. George was my second dad and Marie my second mom and I was the luckiest young man in Bow Lake. Those were pleasant, lazy days of warm summers and cozy, drippy winters, made all the more magical by Maries hugs, wisdom, joy and obvious love for us all. I shall see her always in my heart, even as we miss her in our lives. God bless her and keep her.
With my sincere sorrow for Marie’s family and friends. But what a wonderful, compassionate and productive life she lived as she spent her years caring for others and standing up for what she believed. George and Marie have added so much to many, many lives and to our community. Marie will never be forgotten. God go with you all,
Ann Rule
To dearest George and the Ishii family.
I swung out to the old neighborhood today and visited Marie at Bonney Watson. All of my thoughts and prayers are with you all. I have so many wonderful memories of growing up near and dear to you all, that they are too many to list. Most contain a great deal of laughter. My special memories have to include George and Marie attending my mother’s funeral 13 years ago next month, and their attendance at my sister’s house here on Bainbridge just a few years ago for a memorial to my Dad. Most specifically, I recall George and Maries special relationship to both my Mom and Dad throughout the difficult circumstance of my parents divorce over 30 years ago. I know that Marie held a very special place in my Mom’s heart through the length of their friendship. How special for me to say goodbye and thank you to Marie today and then trundle up the hill to see my Mom and grandparents just a hundred or so yards away at their gravesites. Conflicts this weekend won’t allow me to attend the service, our sister Sue will be there to share with you. Please know that you all are in our hearts and may God bless and keep you and his special servant Marie. What a truly wonderful person she was. I’m sure that she and my Mom have their arms around each other’s shoulders watching down on us all.
George,
Together you and Marie set a standard for love and for living life that will remain forever in the hearts of those you’ve touched. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Larry
A petite woman filled with
compassion for all.
She and her family were good
neighbors for many years.
My clearest memory of Marie’s extraordinary kindness was the evening 35 years ago when I was 16, my mother had just been hospitalized, and my good friend Roby brought me to their home. Her light will live on through all she touched. To all of you closest to her, I wish you islands of peace in the wake of her passing.
Uncle George, Roby, Leslie, David and Tim. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
Dearest George and Family,
Marie was brilliant and such a bright spot in my life all my years at Riverton Hospital Medical Records.
My heart breaks for you all and I know that I will see her again in heaven.
God Bless You,
Kathy
My thoughts are with my dear friend Leslie Ishii and her family. Your Mom sounds like a really wonderful, caring example and that is reflected in her children. She will be missed, even by those of us who did not have the good fortune to meet her.
With love,
Andy
My thoughts are with Leslie and her family. Your mom is an amazing woman and now I know why you are. She defintely lives on in you.
With love,
laurie woolery