Irene Shikibu Shigaki

Born and raised in Seattle’s Central District, Irene was the only daughter in a family of three sons. She was known to be precocious, curious, and driven, with a good sense of humor. Influenced by her family experiences, Irene was a trailblazing woman of color, pursuing a career in higher education and moving to New York City, which she called home for nearly 40 years. She loved her family, was beloved by her nieces and nephews, enjoyed high and low dining, and joyfully delved into arts, culture, and travel to fully experience the world.

Due to a failure of U.S. leadership and racist wartime hysteria, Irene, her family, and community were incarcerated in 1942 first at the Puyallup Assembly Center (Western Washington Fairgrounds) and then at the Minidoka incarceration camp in southern Idaho. The family was imprisoned until fall of 1945. They lived for a time at “The Hunt Hotel” in the Japanese Language School with other returning families, until white tenants vacated their home up the road on South King Street.

Irene attended Bailey Gatzert Elementary School, Washington Junior High School, and Garfield High School (class of 1956). After earning Bachelors degrees in both Elementary Education and English Literature at the University of Washington, she taught 2nd and 3rd grade at Bailey Gatzert. She then completed her Masters in Education at Columbia University Teachers College, and came back to Seattle for a period to teach 5th grade at Lowell Elementary School. Irene returned to Columbia and earned an Ed.D. there in 1969.

The majority of Irene’s career was at New York University, where she became a respected and often published tenured professor at the Steinhardt School of Education, and Co-Director of the Graduate Program in Early Childhood Education. She is fervently remembered for guiding doctoral students in their programs. She was instrumental in writing and introducing the Japanese American incarceration, other multicultural teachings, social justice and social development topics into various curricula at NYU and other organizations. Her highly regarded sabbatical research in Japan compared Japanese and American preschool systems. In the 1990s, Irene returned to school to earn a J.D. at Brooklyn Law School, with the goal of providing direct service to children ensnared in the court system.

After her retirement from NYU, Irene returned to Seattle to spend time with family and volunteer with CASA ((Friends of) Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children), the Minidoka Pilgrimage Planning Committee, and Wellspring Family Services. She was also an avid supporter of the Seattle Public Library Foundation.

Irene is predeceased by her parents George and Yasuko Shigaki, and brothers Dale and Jerry. She is survived by her brother John (Pauline), sister-in-law Karen, seven nieces and nephews, and five grand-nephews. Irene will be celebrated at a private family service.

Donations may be given to her or your own favorite charities. The family extends special gratitude to the caring staff at the Magnolia Home.

- Care Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home Lake View -