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Mitsuko Duncan passed away on February 1, 2026 at her home in Las Cruces surrounded by her husband and sons after a three month battle with heart problems.. She was 93. She was the loving wife and soulmate for 67 years to her husband George Duncan. Mitsuko was born in Naha City, Okinawa, Japan to Seiryo and Tsuru Toguchi. She had three sisters and four brothers. Two sisters and three brothers, all living on Okinawa, preceded her in death. Mitsuko survived the battle of Okinawa. She was 12 years old. It was quite hard to survive during and after the invasion and she tells stories, which her husband has documented, of walking from their home to find a safe place in the north end of the island. She also tells of their family’s encounters with Japanese soldiers before the invasion and of American soldiers after the occupation. Mitsuko worked in the post exchange (PX) camera department. She met her husband, George Duncan, an Army private, in the PX when he was shopping for a camera. After much pestering she decided to go out with him and they were married at the United States Consulate in 1958. It was quite hard to marry in the 1950s and her and her husband had to have many papers prepared, plus meetings with Army personnel to obtain permission to marry. Mitsuko came to the United States with her husband in October 1958. Mitsuko loved to plant and grow things. She had flowers and sometimes a garden at many of the places where she lived. She loved flowers especially rose bushes. Mitsuko moved around a lot with her husband as his work took him. Each time Mitsuko would meet new friends and at every place she lived she found Japanese friends. Everybody loved Mitsuko and she liked to visit with people. She was always thinking of other people and her family first. She was active in various activities depending where she lived. In one place she was active in a sewing and cooking group and in another place she lived she was active in a women’s club. Mitsuko was an excellent cook, especially at baking cookies, pies, various loafs, muffins and coffee cakes. She made great shrimp tempura, tempura vegetables, fried rice, stir fry and egg rolls as well as other oriental and American main dishes. She loved to collect cooking books and articles. Mitsuko loved to go places. She made numerous trips to Okinawa to see family and to attend services for her parents. Her husband accompanied her sometimes before he retired and usually after he retired. Each time they went back her family planned trips and dinners at special places. While they were young her sons, Michael and Charles, accompanied her to see their Okinawan grandparents and to meet relatives. She made trips with her husband and sometimes sons to national parks. She enjoyed seeing shows in Las Vegas, Reno, Sunland Park, Jackson (CA), Branson and Inn of the Mountain Gods. Mitsuko is now at peace and in the hands of the Lord, Jesus Christ. She is survived by her husband George Duncan, sons Michael and Charles Duncan, sister, brother, nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life is pending.

Mitsuko Toguchi Duncan

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