Our loving Mom, Grandma, and GG May, May Okazaki, passed away peacefully at home on August 22, 2023 at the age of 100 years old. She is survived by her daughters Penny (Glenn), Ginny, Robin (Bill) and Goldie (David), 8 grandchildren and spouses and 15 great grandchildren and spouses and numerous special family and friends.
Mom was born in Seattle, WA on June 5, 1923 to Jusaburo and Shie Matsumura. She was the youngest of five children. Her family farmed in the Greenlake, Sunnydale and Auburn areas of WA raising vegetables which were sold at Pike’s Market in Seattle. At the young age of 18, Mom and her family were evacuated in May 1942 to the Pinedale, CA internment camp, then July 1942 to Tule Lake, CA and lastly Heart Mountain, WY.
After the U.S. government released the families, her parents and siblings moved to Ontario, OR. Mom, at the age of 22, boldly decided to go by herself to Glendi, MT. She lived with her best friend, Mitzi Higashi and her family. Mom later moved to Ontario, OR where her family resided.
On February 8, 1948 she married our Dad, Sike Okazaki at the Methodist Church in Ontario, OR. They eventually moved to a little two-bedroom house on Vista Avenue across the street from Union Pacific Depot. Having both grown up on farms, they planted a small garden so they could enjoy flowers and fresh seasonal vegetables. Mom and Dad’s small garden evolved into the iconic Vista Greenhouse which they operated for over 50 years. With Dad’s passing in 1998 Mom continued to run the business for several more years.
In 1963, Mom and Dad began a two-year project building a new, larger home on an adjacent property. They did much of the work themselves. Mom always said she knew every two-by-four and nail she pounded while building the house. Her home became the gathering place for birthdays, holidays, and numerous special occasions.
Family and friends were warmly welcomed into her home with a counter full of goodies, especially Hershey’s chocolates and a variety of treats. Her home was filled with numerous family photos along with the infamous “signature wall”.
Mom devoted her time to being everyone’s biggest fan in all their activities. She enjoyed reading the Idaho Statesman, waiting for the train to go by, watching a variety of television game shows and following her favorite sports teams.
She celebrated her 100 th birthday with a grand surprise party attended by family members and friends from near and afar. Mom received a Proclamation declaring June 5, 2023, as May Okazaki Day from the City of Boise, State of Idaho, presented by Mayor Lauren McClean and a congratulatory letter from Idaho Governor Brad Little.
Mom was such a role model and inspiration for so many of us and her legacy of love will forever be in our hearts.
A special thank you to St. Luke’s Hospice.
Graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Morris Hill Cemetery. A Memorial Program and Reception will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Riverside Hotel, Tamarack/Ponderosa Room, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd, Garden City, ID 83714.
In lieu of flowers, please make a simple gesture of kindness in her memory.