Tomoko YAMASHITA

13 AUG 1930 - 16 SEP 2020

• BIRTH: 13 AUG 1930, Tokyo, Japan
• DEATH: 16 SEP 2020, Gosport, Owen, Indiana

• MARRIAGE: 9 FEB 1953, Tokyo, Japan

INDEX

[N26547] TOMOKO YAMASHITA-CERAJESKI
August 13, 1930 - September 16, 2010

Tomoko Yamashita-Cerajeski, survivor of World War II, breast cancer and a mennigoma brain tumor (a 20 year battle), passed away peacefully, September 16, 2010, at 1:45 a.m., Thursday at the home of her daughter Kathleen Cerajeski and Kathleen's life partner Cynthia Launer. Kathleen, Cynthia and caregiver Margie Erwin were at bedside. Tomoko was born in Ei Ba La Machi, Tokyo, Japan, to her parents, Tane (Kitamura)-Yamashita and Sakuichi Yamashita. Tomoko is the second oldest of six daughters. Tomoko's educational background included attending: Oi Girls Finishing School (1944-1948), where she learned: tailoring, sewing and pattern construction of Japanese kimono art; flower arranging (Ikebana), Japanese gardening, tea ceremony, doll making, cooking, women's fencing and calligraphy. Tomoko was also selected for pre-Olympic gymnastics training. From 1944-1948 Tomoko was selected to work as a draftsperson drawing Zero airplane blueprints. In 1949 Tomoko attended Tsuda Trade School. Tomoko's employment history from 1947-1951 included working for: the Tokyo Nihonbashi Riverview Hotel the Tokyo (Narimusu) Grand Hts., and the Tokyo Central Import/Export Co., Ltd. Tomoko also successfully completed screen testing at the Toho Movie Company. Tomoko received early recognition for her watercolor art, calligraphy and beauty. In 1944, at 14 years of age, Tomoko won the all-Japan Dietowa Sho Do Calligraphy contest, sponsored by Prince Higashi Kuninomiya. In 1953, Tomoko's youngest sister secretly entered Tomoko in an all-Japan beauty-contest which Tomoko won, sponsored by Tokyo Yomiuri Newspaper Co., Ltd. In 1952 Tomoko married and came to reside in Gary, IN., U.S.A. Tomoko is a member of the Japan-America Society of Indianapolis and of the Nichiren-Shu Buddhist Temple of Chicago, IL. Tomoko is preceded in death by her mother, Tane (Kitamura) Yamashita; father, Sakuichi Yamashita; 2 sisters; nephew, Yuki Wada; niece, Yoshko Yamato. Tomoko is survived by her husband, Walter John; daughter, Kathleen Cerajeski, Kathleen's life-partner, Cynthia Launer; devoted caregiver of 14 years, Margie Erwin; sisters, Iyako Fuji, Ameco Wada and Setsuko Leone; nephews and nieces, Eugie and Akiko Yamato, Masato Wada, Paul and Ray Leone - all of Japan. Tomoko was cremated on Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 12 noon, attended by Nathan Butler Funeral Home. Per tradition of Nichiren-Shu Buddhism, family, friends and neighbors are invited to the home of Kathleen Cerajeski and Cynthia Launer from 7p.m. - 10 p.m. on the following Wednesday evenings to pay their respects: September 22, 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27; November 3. If you plan to attend please call the family at 812-876-5666. In lieu of attendance the family of Tomoko Yamashita-Cerajeski suggest donations be made to the following: The American Brain Tumor Association, American Breast Cancer Society and the Nichiren-Shu Buddhist Temple of Chicago, IL. "Never take away a person's hope". - Tomoko Yamashita-Cerajeski.

Published in Post-Tribune on Sep. 22, 2010.