Tsuneko Yamamoto

Tsuneko (Fukuda) Yamamoto was born on October 28, 1930 in Kobe, Japan to Seizo and Kachi Fukuda. Tsuneko was the oldest of four children, including one brother, Yasuhiro, and two half-brothers, Masahiro and Yoshihiro. Her mother, Kachi, died when Tsuneko was just two years old, after which the family was raised by Tsuneko's stepmother, Hisako.

In her youth, Tsuneko enjoyed spending time with friends and being a member of her school tennis and swimming teams. During her teenage years, Tsuneko and her family were greatly affected

by the bombings of Japan during World War II. Tsuneko and her family escaped bombings in Kobe in March 1945, as they were visiting another city in Japan at the time. However, the family lost their home and medicinal factory as a result of the damages from the war. Soon after, Tsuneko and family moved to Nara, Japan.

Tsuneko met the love of her life, Tadashi Yamamoto, while he was in the United States Army. They met at a bar while Tadashi was on R&R from the Army and it was love at first sight. The couple got married in Japan on November 8th, 1955, and soon after moved to Seattle, Washington, where much of Tadashi's family resided. Shortly after, Tsuneko and Tadashi had their three children (Grace in 1957, Donald in 1959, and Dick in 1960) and moved into their South Seattle home that Tsuneko and Tadashi would live in until their deaths.

Tsuneko worked numerous jobs throughout her lifetime, including with a local jewelry company, working in horticulture at the Columbia Greenhouse, as well as working in janitorial services at the Rainier Bank Tower while still babysitting her grandson Trevor full-time during the day. Tsuneko was also proud to receive her US Naturalization when her children were young. Tsuneko was passionate about her various hobbies, including needlework, cooking, and growing houseplants. She loved sewing, knitting, and crocheting different items such as doilies, vests, and even outfits that she proudly wore. Tsuneko was also incredibly skilled at Bunka shishu (Japanese punch embroidery), meticulously crafting dozens of beautiful and detailed pieces that were often hung up around her home or gifted to loved ones. Tsuneko earned her mastery certificate in Bunka shishu, demonstrating her skill and dedication for her craft. She loved cooking for her family and for social gatherings up until her final days. In the final period of her life, Tsuneko enjoyed cooking recipes she would find in magazines or online with her son, Donald, and grandson, Kai. She was very proud of her beloved orange clivia plants that lined her dining room, getting so excited whenever she saw them bloom.

Tsuneko enjoyed traveling back to Japan, often for a month at a time, in order to visit her brother Yasuhiro and other lifelong friends, shop for Japanese goods, and see Japanese comedy shows and sumo tournaments she couldn't see in the United States. Her independence allowed her to travel alone even into her 80's, and she always looked forward to her next trip to Japan.

Tsuneko was a strong fighter. Despite being diagnosed with stomach cancer in March 2022 and being given a prognosis of having 3-6 months to live, Tsuneko battled for an amazing 22 more months. During this time, Tsuneko fought to celebrate two birthdays, many family picnics, and fun holiday gatherings, including the most recent New Year's festivities with the Yamamoto family. Tsuneko passed away peacefully in her home on January 12, 2024. She was upbeat, strong, and caring all the way up until the final few days before her passing and will be missed dearly by many.

Tsuneko, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, is survived by her children Grace (Pete) Tsuchikawa, Donald (Jana) Yamamoto, and Dick (Susan) Yamamoto; grandchildren Trevor (Marisa) and Troy (Aimee Hye) Tsuchikawa, Dillon Yamamoto, Malia, Kobe, and Kai Yamamoto; great-grandchildren Taylor, Tanna, Tori, and Taryn Tsuchikawa and Theo and Tani Tsuchikawa; and brother Yasuhiro Fukuda, who still resides in Japan today. Tsuneko is preceded in death by her husband Tadashi Yamamoto, grandchildren Tyler Tsuchikawa and Matthew and Derrick Yamamoto, and half-brothers Masahiro and Yoshihiro Fukuda.

- Care Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Services Lake View -