Midori 'Millie' Tamaki Obituary (1935

Midori (Millie) Higa Tamaki, age 84, peacefully passed away on October 4, 2019 with both her children by her side at the EvergreenHealth Hospice Center in Kirkland, Washington. Millie was born on January 10, 1935 in Paia, Maui where her father and mother lived and worked on the sugar cane plantations and then later moved at an early age with the family to Honolulu, Oahu. She was the eldest girl of her 10 beloved brothers and sisters. An independent risk taker, she was the first of her family to leave Hawaii to be with a brilliant entomologist and the love of her life, George Tamaki. They moved to the Bay Area of California during his doctorate education and their early years of marriage. In the mid 1960s, Georges work for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) brought them to Yakima, where they raised one son and one daughter, Blaine and Dawn. Millie survived the early death of George, age 52, at the time; Millie was age 47. Instead of returning to Hawaii or moving elsewhere, Millie chose to make Yakima her permanent home for over 54 years until her passing, where she worked as an agricultural technician for the USDA for many years until her retirement. Millie was happiest when surrounded by her children and family, enjoying a bowl of noodles, watching tv game shows, or savoring her coffee and desserts. She was curious and knowledgeable and enjoyed conversing on all subjects, politics, business, current events, movies, etc. She embodied strength and will be remembered for her timeless beauty and grace. In her memory, the family suggests a tribute gift to the George Tamaki Memorial Entomology Scholarship Fund at Washington State University, which she established to honor her husband, George, who was an adjunct professor at WSU. She is survived by her son, Blaine Leon Tamaki (Precy), daughter, Dawn Midori Riley-Tamaki (Andre), three grandchildren, Briana Tamaki, Trey Tamaki, and Tia Riley, one brother, Tommy Higa, three sisters, Esther Higa-Tanaka, Lillian Kashiwabara and Kiyono Au. Her Celebration of Life will be held at Shaw & Sons Funeral Home (201 N 2nd St, Yakima, WA 98901) on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 2:00pm. Celebration of Life Shaw and Sons Funeral Home Saturday, November 16, 2019 2:00 PM 201 N 2nd St. Yakima, Washington 98901