Toshi Kadowaki

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Toshi Kadowaki, Sylvania, passed away at home June 1, 2012. Toshi was born February 8, 1918 to Masao and Matsu Fujimoto in Gardena, California, the third of eight children. During her high school years, she enjoyed participating in sports as well as playing her violin in an all-female orchestra. Following graduation, she attended beauty school. On July 27, 1940 she married Joe G. Kadowaki who predeceased her in 2001 after sixty-one years of marriage. During WWII, she and Joe were interned in Poston, Arizona where Toshi supervised beauty shops in the three internment camps. After the war, they resettled in Cleveland, Ohio and Toshi became the owner of her own beauty shop for thirty years. Toledo, Ohio then became their home and, not being one to sit still, Toshi began working part-time in Joes company, Toledo Optical Laboratory, Inc. for another thirty years. In her free time, she loved to golf, bowl, play bridge, read and spend time with her siblings and family. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Japanese American Citizens League and Heatherdowns Country Club. In addition to Joe, Toshi was predeceased by her parents, a son, Joe George Jr., siblings Masao, Esao, and Yetsuko. She is survived by daughters Janet Jim Brothers of Indianapolis, IN and Kathy Irland of Sylvania, grandchildren Doug Green of Mason, OH, Brian Jean Green of Monclova, Amy Pete Danford of Merchantville, NJ, Dr. David Molly Tashima of Palatine, IL, Kara Paul Mealy of Seattle, WA and Paul Tashima of Seattle, WA., great-grandchildren Ryan and Matthew Green, Avery and Miles Green, Liam and Henry Danford, Toshi and Martha Mealy and Gus and Penelope Tashima. Also, sisters Haruko Kobata of Tustin CA, Teruko Kuwada of Dayton, OH, Aiko Bob Wada of Torrance, CA. and brother Sumi Kiyo Anne of Downey, CA. Toshi was a remarkable woman of faith and compassion, an eternal optimist who loved her family dearly, never knew a stranger and touched so many lives in her 94 years. While she will be missed by many, she will be remembered by all. The family would especially like to thank the staff of the Toledo Hospital dialysis unit. A celebration of Toshis life will be held on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 11:00 am at Sylvania United Church of Christ, 7240 Erie Street, Sylvania, OH. Visitation will precede the service from 9:30-11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sylvania United Church of Christ or the Kidney Foundation. Arrangements are by Walker Funeral Home.