Obituary for Virginia Ishida (2021) – Belmont, CA.

Virginia Sumiko Ishida
January 6, 1929 – March 6, 2021
Virginia Sumiko (Ginny) Ishida died peacefully at home in Belmont on March 6, 2021, surrounded by family. She was a third generation Japanese American who was born on January 6, 1929 to a midwife at Roger Reynolds Nursery in Menlo Park, where her uncle worked. Her parents, Takeki and Sadame Sakamoto, raised their four children (Ginny was the eldest) in San Mateo, where they owned Tokyo Cleaners on B Street near 4th Avenue. During World War II, Ginny’s family was staged on the Tanforan Race Track before moving to the Japanese internment camp in Topaz, Utah. After camp, Ginny graduated from Lincoln High School (class of 1947) in Orem, Utah. She enjoyed attending Lincoln High Class meetings through 2011 and usually won the award for travel the most.
While in Utah, Ginny met her future husband Yoshikazu (Yo) Ishida on a blind date at a Harlem Globetrotters event. Yo and Ginny returned to San Mateo, where they married in 1951. Despite redlining, they bought their first and only home in Belmont on Yo’s VA loan in 1954 and raised five children: David (Gloria), Elizabeth (Ray-deceased), Judy, Susan and Chrissie (Phil). Yo and Ginny took great pride in actively contributing to their neighborhood, the Belmont community, and children’s activities.
Ginny had many talents and was constantly adopting new skills that she shared, be it hands-on cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, painting, and photography. or emotional advice, comfort, and empathy. She was a beloved cave mother and troop leader for boy scouts, brownies, and girl scouts. Ginny enthusiastically supported Yo’s coaching of Little League, Babe Ruth, and Pop Warner sports, and she mastered Bobbie Sox softball while Yo coaced. Ginny bestowed her artistic skills on Cipriani PTA events (Spook-A-Roo, Saturday Movie Matinee) as well as the Carlmont Booster Club and Grad Night committees. She was Belmont Elementary School Yard Duty and Teacher’s Aid at Cipriani and Central Schools. Cipriani and Carlmont alumni fondly remember “Mrs. Ishida” for her lovely smiles, enthusiasm, and loving manner. They give lunch to those who have forgotten theirs. She enjoyed bowling, neighborhood gatherings, and pinochle with hers Colleagues. She enjoyed traveling and attending SF Giants games, concerts, and the SHN Best of Broadway productions. She was a sports fanatic of every team in the Bay Area, be it basketball, soccer, or baseball.
In 1983, Yo suffered a severe brainstem attack that made him physically dependent. Ginny took on a new role as Yo’s dedicated caregiver until his death in 2011. It was during this time that the Ishida tradition of “Sunday Dinner” was born in her home for the growing family to spend quality time together. The Sunday lunches lasted until March 15, 2020, the last to be held due to the COVID pandemic. Yes, the family had corned beef with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots.
In essence, Ginny shared her conditional love throughout her life; for their family, their pets, their friends, our friends, with everyone who has met them. It was reflected in their happy smiles, strong hugs, compassion, and conviction to trust. It was a safe haven. Despite the adversity of life, Ginny had a positive attitude and every day was new, a clean slate.

Her greatest treasure was and is always her family, whom she held and loved until her last breath. Her parents and her brother Robert precede death. Ginny is survived by: her brother Gordon Sakamoto (Muts) from San Jose and her sister Evelyn Keiko Sasamoto from Vancouver, Washington; her five children; six grandchildren: Jamal Ishida (Mercy), Victor Ishida (Briana), Ryan Nowakowski (Mari), Kelli Nowakowski, Traci Storer (Kory), Trinity Reynolds and eleven great-grandchildren: Alyssa, Nolan and Asher Ishida; Kailee, Chase, Kirra, and Koa Ishida; Ryder, Mila, and Rayden Nowakowski; Camryn Storer.

Your family would like to thank all of the family members and friends who have loved them over the years and through their recent illness. She lived a full life full of love.

Memorial services will be scheduled later due to Covid.

Published in the San Francisco Chronicle March 12-14, 2021.