Rosalia M. Miyaya
February 2, 1925 - July 2, 2012
Obituary
Rosalia “Rosy” M. Miyaya died at age 87 on Monday, July 2, 2012 at her home in Mercer Island, Washington. She passed away peacefully in the presence of her family.
Rosalia was born in Rosalia, Washington on February 2, 1925 to Harry and Tamayo Kondo. She was the fourth of six children, (three boys and three girls). The three boys were older, but Rosy was the oldest daughter and took care of many domestic duties.
The Kondo family moved to Priest River, Idaho in 1933 when Rosy was 8 years old. From that time on, Rosy made and maintained friendships that have lasted until today. Her high energy, kindness and sense of humor attracted people to her all of her life.
During high school, at almost five feet tall, she had a passion for sports, especially basketball. And yes, she was on the girls’ varsity team. Rosy was also musical—in addition to playing the piano and singing, she played any other instrument the high school band needed. Rosy graduated from Priest River High School a year early in 1942 at the height of the anti-Japanese feeling on the West Coast.
In 1943 and 1944, Rosy attended the University of Idaho. She lived in the “Mary House’ as a freshman and sang in the “University Women’s Singers” group. The next year she moved to Forney Hall. Forney was “where life is happy, and cares were few, Oh dear old Forney, we all love you …” Her college career was cut short by a need to help out at home in Priest River.
Rosy had wanted to be a teacher, but was told by counselors that being of Japanese descent, her chances for employment would be very limited. She resumed her pursuit of a career by moving to Detroit, where her brother Mark was in dental school and then attended a dental assistant school in San Francisco after the war. She moved back to Detroit, joined a Christian fellowship and met a handsome war vet, Clement K. Miyaya, who was attending Wayne State University. They married on October 27, 1951. Their first child, Mary Sue was born in Detroit a few years later.
After Clem’s graduation, the family moved to Newport, Washington, (a few miles across the border from Priest River), to manage Rosy’s brother Cheney’s grocery store. Rosy was a busy homemaker and had her second daughter, Molly Kei.
In 1962, the family moved to Spokane, Washington. There Rosy made many more friends through her Hobby club, and was active in her girls’ activities. She was a Campfire Girls co-leader, the treasurer of the ballet society for many years, and worked part time in her daughters’ school, Finch Elementary.
In 1973, the family moved to Lacey, Washington for a year and then on to Mercer Island, where she and Clem resided for over thirty years. During that time she was the office manager for her brother-in-law Dr. Yoshitaka Ogata’s orthodontic practice. Her energy and outstanding people skills were a perfect match for her work. Rosy remembered everyone’s name and something about them.
After her retirement, she and Clem traveled and continued to maintain old friendships while adding new ones through the two morning walking groups they joined. The number of people that they exchanged cards, letters and phone calls with on a regular basis was truly remarkable. Their house was always open to everyone.
Rosy was best known for her kind and compassionate heart. She always had a humble countenance mixed in with humor and bit of playfulness.
Rosy is predeceased by Clem, and her brothers Mark (Susan), Fred and Cheney (Vi) Kondo. She is survived by Mary Miyaya (Kevin Graham) and Molly Chin (Dexter), Mercer Island. Grandchildren are Alicia Teel (Caleb), Natalie Graham, CJ Stafford, David Graham, Katerina Graham, Keiko Stafford, and Aliya Chin. All reside in the Seattle area. She is also survived by her sisters, Molly Arima (Tom) of Homedale, Idaho and Mabel Ogata (Yoshitaka) of Mercer Island and sisters-in-law Michi Kondo of Seattle and Nobi Okubo of Boulder, Colorado. There are numerous nephews and nieces and their families.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Rosy’s memory to the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018
We are so happy we were able to see Rosie a few ago. How fortunate! She was so happy to see us and it was great seeing her. Deepest condolences.
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Aunt Rosie was one of the kindest souls I have ever met. I loved her dearly and will miss her very much. She and my Mom, Vi, had such great times together, they laughed and laughed. Nothing but fond memories for me. Gayle
Aunt Rosy was a dear sweet lady. We laughed about who was taller and I will let her continue to believe she was.
Our last few visits were quiet ones, with her eyes still twinkling with that Kondo sense of humor, but with a comforting unsaid feeling that she was ready to be with Clem and her big brothers.
Rosey, loving and gentle, graciously brought my two children and I into her family, into her heart 19 yrs ago.
We are comforted in that our lives have been enriched because of her kindness and generosity.
We celebrate her life and will forever remember her love of family and friends.
What I remember most about Rosy was her smile and her laugh. She was always smiling and happy. Such a sweet lady, always welcoming and friendly. She will be missed.
I will always remember Aunt Rosy for her constant smile and ability to have a good laugh. She was devoted to her children and grandchildren and would do anything for them—which meant that those of us who frequently stayed over or visited as children got the benefit of her warmth and enthusiasm. She always supported her team, whether it was for her grandkids or the Mariners. We’ve lost her as a fan but she’ll continue to be with us. Rest in peace.
Since Rosy was a good friend of my mother and father from school days to the present, she seemed to have always been a part of my life. I enjoyed her humor, love, kindness, soft voice and warm smile from my childhood in Spokane to adulthood in Shoreline. The big void she leaves will be filled with many fond memories. I am honored to have known her.
My brother Mike and I we sadden to hear of Rosie’s passing. She and Clem were of my parents dearests and favorite friends. Clem was a great help to sooooo many of my father’s home improvement projects. rosie had the greatest laugh and never seem to be in anything but an up mood. We have been remembering so many of the good times our families have spent together.
With all our love, Mike and Scott