Yoshiko Edith Ichiuji

Pacific Grove ~ Edith Yoshiko Ichiuji, age 90, was called to her Heavenly Home on June 8, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born December 26, 1923, the second of four children, she grew up in the farming community of French Camp, California. With the eruption of WWII, her nursing education was cut short when her family was evacuated to the Manzanar internment camp. In January 1944, with the help of the American Quaker Friends, Edith relocated to Rochester, Minnesota to resume her nursing education at St. Mary’s Hospital, which was associated with the Mayo Clinic. After graduating in 1947, she worked as a delivery room nurse at St Mary’s Hospital.

In 1949, with the passing of her father, Edith returned to California where she met her future husband, Mickey. They were married in 1952 and lived in Pacific Grove for the remainder of their lives. They raised three children—Dr. Mary (Andrew Stolz), an oncologist at Kaiser Permanente in West LA, Dr. John (Wendy), a dentist in San Ramon, and Dr. Nancy (George Wooding), a pharmacist at Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco. The loves of her life were her six grandchildren: Mark, Jamey, Trent, Sarah, Brynne, and Danielle.

Edith worked at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula for 25 years in labor and delivery, nursery, and post-partum care, and retired in 1984. For the next nine years, she traveled extensively all over the world with her husband and friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Mickey, in 1993.

A great cook, Edith loved sending cookies to her grandchildren and making lemon marmalade, which she gifted to her friends. She was known for her famous apple pie, and all the grandchildren looked forward to eating “Grandma’s Calamari”. She received great joy from spending countless hours creating works of art with her hands, from origami to sewing to crafting Japanese dolls.

Edith belonged to the Nurse’s Association; was a lifetime member of the Japanese American Citizen’s League, even serving as co-chair for the National Convention when it was held in Monterey in 2000; was an integral part of the El Estero Presbyterian Church, co-chairing the 100th anniversary celebration in 2012; served regionally as a member of both the Presbytery of San Jose Presbyterian Women’s group and the Northern California Asian Presbyterian Women’s group; nationally, she attended the General Assembly in Baltimore and Louisville as a commissioner, and served for three years on the National Racial Ethnic Dialogue committee representing Asian Presbyterian Women; was also a member of the CSUMB Women’s Council.

Edith was most proud of her involvement with the Monterey Peninsula Salvation Army Advisory Board. As a member of the Board, her joy was helping to feed and care for the homeless twice a week, rain or shine. In 2010, she was recognized for her lifelong service to others with the Jefferson Award. Her selfless attitude was her legacy, and she would like to be remembered as, “A person who helped others without being asked”.

In addition to her children and grandchildren, Edith is survived by her sister, Tomie, and brother, Roy, and many other family members and friends.

The family requests that donations in her memory be sent to: Monterey Peninsula Salvation Army, Good Samaritan Center, 1491 Contra Costa St, Seaside, 93955 or El Estero Presbyterian Church Ichiuji Endowment Fund (a fund for camps or conferences for its youth members), 490 Camino El Estero, Monterey, 93940 or Central Coast VNA Hospice, P.O. Box 2480, Monterey, CA 93942

Visitation will be at The Paul Mortuary Chapel on this Thursday, June 19 from 4-7pm. Funeral services will be at El Estero Presbyterian Church on Friday, June 20 at 7 pm. Burial service will be at Monterey City Cemetery on Saturday, June 21 at 10 am.