Obituary for Tamiko Katherine "Dee" Matsumoto (Tanaka)
Tamiko "Dee" passed away peacefully on November 8, 2018 in Spokane Valley, WA at the age of 94. Dee was born at home in Spokane, WA on August 1, 1924 to Hatakichi and Ito Tanaka, the third of seven children. She graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1942, then attended Kelsey Baird Secretarial School. Dee married Tadashi “Tad” Matsumoto on November 4, 1950 at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in Spokane. Soon after, they moved to Chattaroy, where they spent 35 years as vegetable farmers. She was a hard worker, always tending to her large fruit and vegetable garden and maintaining a beautiful yard. Dee spent time in a bowling league, was a fantastic cook, had a great sense of humor, enjoyed traveling to Hawaii and Florida and was an avid Seattle Mariners fan. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and sharing a good laugh with them.
Dee is survived by brothers Haruo “Pat, Coba” Tanaka and Hare “Harry, Shad” (Laurie) Tanaka of Spokane, daughters Susan (Butch) Wright of Issaquah, WA and Linda (Gary) Molsness of Spokane Valley, son-in-law Sherwin Eng of Kent, WA, grandchildren Brian (Molly) Wright, Sean (Dana) Wright, Kristen Molsness, and Scott (Thao) Molsness, and great-grandchildren Owen, Callahan, and Everly, numerous nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law. Dee was preceded in death by her husband Tad, sister Hatsue “Hatsy, Liz” Leong, brothers Isamu “Sam” Tanaka, Joe Tanaka and George Tanaka, and daughter Janet Matsumoto Eng. The family extends a warm thanks to the staff of Harbor Crest and Sullivan Park Care Center.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dee’s name to the Mary Tanaka Scholarship, c/o Spokane Chapter JACL, P.O. Box 2772, Spokane, WA 99220.
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