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BORN

1969

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Wilhelm's Portland Memorial Funeral Home

6705 SE 14th Avenue

Portland, Oregon

Miyuki Henderson-Iammatteo Obituary

Henderson-Iammatteo, Miyuki C. 46 Aug. 25, 1969 Feb. 18, 2016 Miyuki Christine Hender- son-Iammatteo, 46, passed away Feb. 18, 2016, in San Diego after a brave three-year battle with cancer. Miyuki was born Aug. 25, 1969, in Tokyo. Her family moved to Richmond Hill, Ontario in 1975. She attended Richmond Hill High School and York University. Miyuki married John Iammatteo Oct. 29, 2011, they were married four years. Miyuki dedicated her life to children. Her motto was, Every child is special. She specialized in early childhood education and development. She taught in Toronto and Japan, in public and inter- national schools as well as privately. She touched the hearts of all who knew her and left this world a better place. In her brief time Miyuki lived the precepts of God: kindness, caring and compassion. Miyuki is survived by her husband, John Iammatteo; mother, Naoko Kikuchi; aunt, Flavia; niece, Julia; sister- in-law, Rosa; nephew, Kenji; many cousins; and her children. She was preceded in death by her father, Hugh Henderson; and brother, Hideyuki Henderson. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Wilhelm Portland Memorial. Please see: wilhelmportlandmemorial.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Oregonian from Mar. 8 to Mar. 9, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Miyuki Henderson-Iammatteo

Sponsored by John Iammatteo.

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Jeff Fullmer

October 17, 2018

I was fortunate to work with Miyuki in the late nineties in Omiya Saitama Japan. She was an inspiring teacher and always brought such warmth to a room with her smile. Those that are so inspirational and caring seem to always be taken early.....I am so thankful that I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Miyuki. What a gift she was!

Dexter Abrams

July 14, 2017

Miyuki,
It is in great sadness I have learned about your passing over a year and a few months after your body has left this world. The impact of your spirit and the souls that you have touched will live on forever in our memories and in our hearts. Once you remember they live.... I will never forget!!
I meet Miyuki in our first Year at York University and we remained good friends for a number of years. We would hangout in Toronto when she would come home and visit from teaching in Japan. Miyuki had a such warm heart, always loved children, and had an infectious enthusiasm to explore and learn. She loved to eat and I remember one time she came back to visit, we were eating a West Indian dish (cook up rice Guyanese) and I watched her put a lot of my mother's pepper sauce on her dish and asked her if she knew what she was doing. Needless to say within one bite Miyuki face turned bright red and sweat was forming on her brow but as she is, she carried on....such a great spirit. Although we lost touch after the birth of my first child; a special place for such a special person remains so deeply in my heart.

I am a better person for knowing you

Be In Peace

Dexter

David Taylor

December 30, 2016

Miyuki, I am so sorry to hear that your life was cut short. I know you had so much to give to the world. At least you were here for a while. I'm glad you were able to travel so far and do so many things. Remember the yellow overalls you used to wear in high school? When I think of you in them it makes me smile. Love and Sympathy!

Rea Alba

July 31, 2016

Dear Miyuki,

I know it's been a tough couple of weeks for you battling with cancer and pneumonia. I miss you like crazy every single day, and I wish there was a way for me to bring you back just one more time. If you come back, the first thing I'd do is hug you. Then I'd come and live with you, and I would just talk to you about anything and everything. I think about you every day, at school, at home and in bed before I go to sleep. We have so many memories like that night when we went on the horse carriage and it was so magical. I'd do anything to relive them again. There are a lot of things that we won't get to experience together and that really breaks my heart even though I know you'll be watching from your couch in the sky. Don't worry I'll save you a spot at my graduation. I hope that wherever you are, you're resting and enjoying the angel life. I'll miss you until the day it's time for me to pass on. I can't wait for that day because I know that's when we'll be reunited. You made such an impact on my life and I wish I would have told you that more while you were still here. But here is my promise to you, I promise to work as hard as I can, for the rest of my life, to live in your footsteps and make sure that people know the amazing, loving, caring, strong and funny person you were. They weren't as lucky as me to have met you. I plan to do whatever it takes to make sure that you're proud of me and everything I accomplish will be because of the help and guidance you gave me while you were still around.
I hope you know that I will always love and miss you. And that I'll visit you every night in our rocket ship as long as it's after twelve so mummy and daddy are sleeping, oh and I'll bring Dino the paper dinosaur with me.
Your daughter, Rea xox

Miyuki, age 10, sporting her red Snoopy shirt and matching red socks and shoes in her room. Richmond Hill

John Iammatteo

June 16, 2016

A lifelong learner, Miyuki learns the Hawaiian art of making figurines from grass or palm leaves. Maui 2011

John Iammatteo

June 16, 2016

Happy 5th Birthday Miyuki!'

John Iammatteo

June 16, 2016

Miyuki looked forward each weekend to shopping at the Farmer's Market for organic produce!

John Iammatteo

June 16, 2016

Happy and playful after renewing our wedding vows at Leach Botanical Garden. 2013

John Iammatteo

June 16, 2016

Miyuki proudly holding her new baby brother Hideyuki, 1974/75

John Iammatteo

June 16, 2016

Miyuki and Hideyuki at a Hanshin Tigers baseball game while visiting Japan, 1980's.

John Iammatteo

June 16, 2016

Miyuki, age 5, admiring her new baby brother Hideyuki.

John Iammatteo

June 16, 2016

This is the last photo of Miyuki taken while blueberry picking, Fall 2015 (Taken just before diagnosis of 4th stage cancer)

John Iammatteo

June 16, 2016

Miyuki bringing sunshine with her smile to a cloudy day, Miyuki taking a break from her nature hike to enjoy the beauty around her.

John Iammatteo

June 16, 2016

Miyuki holds nephew Kenji in summer of 2012 6 months before being diagnosed with cancer. Toronto, July, 2012

John Iammatteo

June 16, 2016

Fascinated by nature and appreciative of the simple things in life, Miyuki always stopped to smell the flowers and admire their beauty.

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

June 15, 2016

Dressed in a Yukata, Miyuki pours tea for a traditional Japanese meal

June 15, 2016

Posing on 'Miyuki St.' Tokyo

June 15, 2016

Always playful, Miyuki posing with cute mini-snowmen. Nikko Japan, 2010

June 15, 2016

The 'Kid Magnet', Miyuki attracted children wherever she went. They couldn't wait to meet and play with their new fun friend!

June 15, 2016

The 'Kid Magnet' making a new friend. Children sensed in Miyuki a kindred spirit, joyful, enthusiastic and genuinely caring and loving.

June 15, 2016

Brightening everyones day with her warm sunshine smile, at about 6 months.

June 15, 2016

Making a fashion statement while relaxing in her kiddy pool, age 2, Tokyo

June 15, 2016

Looking gorgeous, and feeling delighted after a divine birthday dinner at our special restaurant "Tableaux" in trendy Daikanyama, Tokyo. 2008

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

The 'Foodie' about to enjoy the sampler desert at a sidewalk cafe in downtown Toronto, 2012.

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Stunningly beautiful in her wedding dress Miyuki prepares to walk down the aisle. 2011

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki with her Montessori Preschool class in Yokaichi Japan, 2000-2003

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki, the 'Best teacher ever!' with her class at Summer Hill International Preschool, Tokyo, 2007

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki's warm sunshine smile brightens the day while checking out Leach Botanical Garden, Portland OR, 2011

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Christmas 1974, Miyuki very happy with her new baby brother Hideyuki!

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki dressed in Kimono for 'Girl's Day' enjoying the traditional fair, 1974

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki and brother Hideyuki 'Hide' on bikes heading off to play with friends, Richmond Hill, about 1980 ?

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki and friends at birthday party, 1974-75? (If anyone recognises any of the children please let us know.)

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki & John - Wedding day the happiest of our lives, each day after we grew happier and closer than the last!

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki's 1st Birthday! Miyuki would go onto celebrate her birthday as her 'day' to honour herself, her accomplishments, hopes and dreams.

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki loved the beach! Modelling her new swimsuit and hat. Miyuki remained as sweet, gentle and kind as when this picture was taken in 1973

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki and brother Hideyuki, 'Hide' on a summer afternoon. Miyuki often talked about the idyllic, magical and FUN days of growing up in Richmond Hill!

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki & her class at Keiki International Preschool, Tokyo

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki on mountain top, New Years day in Japan

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki and brother Hideyuki, 'Hide', on a bridge in Yoyogi Park near Meiji Shrine, Tokyo, 2009.

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki loved being in nature! Enjoying the delicate beauty and fragrance of the cherry blossoms in Tokyo.

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki the Traveler. Relaxing & reading, waiting for the ferry to take her next adventure. Miyuki loved to travel & traveled solo to 35 countries.

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

Miyuki modelling her chic, fun look - parent's day Summer Hill International Preschool where Miyuki practiced her unique style of Holistic Education.

John Iammatteo

June 15, 2016

A. M.

March 15, 2016

My sympathy goes out to the family during your time of grief. May God's loving-kindness comfort you and help you through this difficult time. (Psalm 119:50,76)

Alison

March 10, 2016

I only knew you for a brief time but you made an impact on my life as you did everyone who knew you. I will remember you as the kindest and most inspiring person I've been fortunate to know.
Condolences to your family.

M

March 10, 2016

Heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and friends during this difficult time. I hope that the promise found at 1 Thessalonians 4:14 will bring you comfort. Knowing that there is a future for the ones we have lost in death can be reassuring.

Bob Portwood

March 9, 2016

Ah,John. We are so sorry. I only knew Miyuki briefly, but recognized her then as one of the good ones. We are all less for her leaving. From my family, all our sympathy and support.

John Sandlos

March 9, 2016

Miyuki was a huge basketball fan when I played at Richmond Hill High School. She came to lots of games and offered me stretching and warmup advice between games. I appreciated the support, as sometimes she was the only person in the stands. In all the years we went to school together I don't think she ever stopped smiling. She was a special person and many condolences to everyone who loved her.

March 9, 2016

We met in under strange circumstances, became fast friends and then life interrupted everything. I will remember you for eating everything in sight and not getting fat, Tanqueray and Tonic, your giant cat who walked around with it's belly on the ground, your infectious smile and most importantly as someone who cared about everyone one in her life. You were tough on the outside but I know you were soft on the inside and that is what made you special. Until we meet again Miyuki....have a rum and coke ready for me. Much love to your mother.

Love your friend always, AFK

March 9, 2016

Miyuki,

I'm sure you will shine on & on & on
- for you were too powerful a bright star not to.

I will remember you as the amazing, most generous and beautiful spirit you were, always.

To all those closest to her I extend my deepest sympathies for your loss. She was a remarkable woman.

Lee Gould

March 8, 2016

Remembered as a wonderful and generous friend. Condolences to family and friends.

Lee Gould

March 8, 2016

Remembered as someone very special and giving to all those around her. Condolences to her family and friends.

Robbin MacDonald

March 8, 2016

We went to high school together, and would hang out and chat at the Mill Pond often. She was such a beautiful person and will be sadly missed.

Michael Stuart

March 8, 2016

So very sorry for your loss. I remember Miyuki as a very kind and friendly person and am saddened to hear of her passing.

Annie Koshy

March 8, 2016

Miyuki, your smile and infectious good natured spirit will always be remembered. You've left us too young.

Joel Clements

March 8, 2016

We were classmates in public school, high school, and attended York University together. Her smile and laugh will not be forgotten. My condolences to her family.

Allison Miloff

March 8, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss. I went to school with Miyuki at RHHS.

Steven Venn

March 8, 2016

Oh Miyuki. So sad to hear this. I often thought about you after high school and wondered how you were doing. This is troubling as you were such a bright and friendly woman, so giving and cheerful. My condolences to your family and friends. I'm sure, like many from Richmond Hill High School feel, that you'll be truly missed no matter how much time has passed.

March 6, 2016

I'll always remember you Miyuki
Much Love,

Aunt Flavia

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Memorial Events
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Mar

12

Memorial service

10:00 a.m.

Wilhelm's Portland Memorial Funeral Home

6705 SE 14th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202

Funeral services provided by:

Wilhelm's Portland Memorial Funeral Home

6705 SE 14th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202

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