Meiko Mae Shigeta

Meiko Mae Shigeta, 88, formally of Fruitland, Idaho passed away on Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Meridian, Idaho. Mae was born August 16, 1936, in Los Angeles, CA, the only child to Paul & Edna Matsusaki.

Much of her youth was spent in Phoenix, AZ with frequent visits to Idaho to visit family.

In 1956, she married Shozo Shigeta and together they raised six daughters on the family farm in Fruitland, ID. She worked at Carnefix’s Fruitland Nursery for over twenty years.

Plants and flowers were her passion. Mae also enjoyed ceramics, needlework, music, westerns, and was a self-taught master gardener. Her positive nature, infectious smile and sunny disposition were generously shared with her family and friends. Her sons-in-law were the sons she never had, and they all adored her. Traveling to visit her daughters in the Seattle WA area, La Grande, OR, Meridian and Fairfield, ID, filled her with energy, she had a room in each household. Her active daughters, their families and pets kept her busy.

Mae is survived by her daughters Pauline Toomb (Jim) of Meridian, Shari Simon of Fairfield, Linda Shigeta (Craig Daw) of Bellevue, WA, Christine Yundt (Eric) of Meridian, Zanne Shigeta-Germundson (Mike) of Kuna and Tami Shigeta of Maple Valley, WA, thirteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by her parents Edna & Paul Matsusaki, husband Shozo Shigeta of 43 years, her son-in-law Bill Simon and her best friend and cousin Helen Matsubu.

Memorial donations may be made to Horizon Hospice. Angels Anonymous 63 West Willowbrook Drive, Meridian, ID 83646.

A private interment will be held at Park View Cemetery, New Plymouth, ID. Please join the family Saturday, July 19 for lunch around 11:30 a.m. for Mae’s celebration of life at the Holiday Inn Ontario, 1249 Tapadera Avenue, Ontario, OR in the Sawtooth room. Let us reminisce and remember a life well lived.