Masako "Mickey" Nishimoto, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend, passed away in Madera on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at the age of 87. She was born on January 14, 1924 and raised in Devil's Slide, Utah. She was the third of five children of immigrant parents, Jusaburo and Shigeyo Fujiki from Japan.In 1948, she graduated from the U. of Utah with a BS in Nursing. She began her nursing career at the Salt Lake City VA and later transferred to the VA in Oakland, CA where she was a surgical head nurse. There she came to know Keith Nishimoto, her future husband. Married in 1957, she moved to Madera and worked at the Nishimoto's grocery store while raising her two daughters. Her main focus was the Bridge Store, the family business which she helped run for 54 years.
She worked occasionally at the local community hospital and winery as a RN and actively participated in many community activities. She met many of her closest friends through the Soroptimist Club, Madera Hospital League, local Nurses Association, VFW Auxiliary, Historical Society, Camp Fire Girls, PTA, and the Bridge Store. We would like to thank all of her friends and family who have shared stories with us of their special friendships and good times. She had an infectious laugh, a zest for life and a generosity of spirit that we will all miss.
Mickey was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Keith Nishimoto and all of her siblings, their spouses and one nephew: George (&Emma), Ted (&Sue and their son Cory), Sumiko, and Ken (&Betty). She is survived by her daughter Judy Nishimoto and spouse Julie Mark of San Bruno and her daughter Joyce Wilkinson and granddaughter Kelly Wilkinson of Van Nuys. Mickey felt truly blessed to have the support and love of her sister-in-law Dorothy Nishimoto; her nephews & nieces: Mary Nishimoto, Wally & Kathy Nishimoto, Ruthie Nishimoto & Gaylen Thelander, Robert & Cheryl Okamoto, Carole Okamoto, Andy & Lynn Okamoto, Linda Fujiki, Georgia & Max Yoshida, Martin Fujiki & Bonnie Brinton, Dianne & Chester Tsuji, Jean Fujiki, Kent & Kelly Fujiki, Steve Fujiki, David Fujiki, and their extended families.
Mickey was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Keith Nishimoto and all of her siblings, their spouses and one nephew: George (&Emma), Ted (&Sue and their son Cory), Sumiko, and Ken (&Betty). She is survived by her daughter Judy Nishimoto and spouse Julie Mark of San Bruno and her daughter Joyce Wilkinson and granddaughter Kelly Wilkinson of Van Nuys. Mickey felt truly blessed to have the support and love of her sister-in-law Dorothy Nishimoto; her nephews & nieces: Mary Nishimoto, Wally & Kathy Nishimoto, Ruthie Nishimoto & Gaylen Thelander, Robert & Cheryl Okamoto, Carole Okamoto, Andy & Lynn Okamoto, Linda Fujiki, Georgia & Max Yoshida, Martin Fujiki & Bonnie Brinton, Dianne & Chester Tsuji, Jean Fujiki, Kent & Kelly Fujiki, Steve Fujiki, David Fujiki, and their extended families.
Mickey especially appreciated the long friendships she enjoyed with so many of her close buddies - (Laurine, dec.), Rinko, Betty, Pearl, Julia, Paula, John, and the entire birthday crowd. She considered the staff at Bridge Store as part of her family. Clifford Calhoun and Raymond Perez, you were always in her thoughts.
The family is most grateful for the compassionate and excellent care given by her care providers: Dr. Allan Nassar, Dr. Sam Oh, Mae Graff, Margaret Hill, Margaret Scharp, and Charlotte Bacon and the kind and attentive staffs at St. Agnes, MCH, and Westgate Manor.
The family is most grateful for the compassionate and excellent care given by her care providers: Dr. Allan Nassar, Dr. Sam Oh, Mae Graff, Margaret Hill, Margaret Scharp, and Charlotte Bacon and the kind and attentive staffs at St. Agnes, MCH, and Westgate Manor.
Family and friends are welcome to the memorial service at the United Methodist Church at 500 Sunset Ave, Madera, CA on Saturday, November 12, 2011, at 10am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nishimoto Family Scholarship Trust, 2280 Fleetwood Drive, San Bruno, CA 94066. (This trust supports an annual scholarship made to a Madera HS or Madera South HS graduate.)
