1930
2021
Judy Yoshida
April 21, 1930 - April 16, 2021
Seattle, Washington - Judy Fumi Yoshida passed away peacefully on Friday April 16th, 2021. Judy was born April 21st, 1930 in El Paso, Texas and was raised in southern California by Hanjiro and Yuri Yoshida with her 3 older brothers. As a young girl, Judy was incarcerated with her family in a Japanese internment camp in Poston, Arizona for more than 3 years. Judy later lectured in various venues on her internment experience. Following the war years, Judy worked in Japan for the U.S. Army and returned to Arizona where she would meet her future husband the late Lt. Col.(ret.) Wayne Ambrose. Judy received a B.A. from the University of Puget Sound and an M.A. from Pacific Lutheran University. She was a respected and admired administrator with Tacoma Public Schools for many years, retiring as principal of Meeker Middle School in 1995. She was active in the church, most recently at University Place Presbyterian Church where she served as an usher and a Stephen Minister. Judy was a tremendous cook and she was famous for her elaborate dinner parties. She was also a masterful seamstress and a talented artist in various media including watercolor, ceramics and Ikebana. She leaves behind three children, Michael Ambrose (Susan), Jay Ambrose (Rochelle) and Kimberly Ambrose, two grandchildren, Hanjiro Ambrose (Maia) and Sara Ambrose (Jason Wrightsman) and three great grandchildren, with two more expected soon.
Celebration of Life
Saturday, September 25 at 10:30 am
Trinity Presbyterian Church
1615 6th Avenue
Tacoma Wa 98405
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
My strongest memory about Judy is her laugh. She endured hardship aplenty yet remained buoyant. Following quickly behind the memory of the laugh is gratitude I have for her honesty. Her stories of her childhood opened my eyes to a story seldom told -- it was a treasure. Her thoughts on her grown up life shed light on more universal experiences -- they were a gift. She was one tough and beautiful cookie who understood grace and gave it freely.
Sara Loudon
Friend
May 2, 2021
What a dear, sweet lady of faith. We treasure our memories of her elegant meals and sense of humor, our berry-picking parties on Vashon, her Bible study group, hiking - including Grand Canyon (she couldn't believe she willingly returned to Arizona after her horrid memories of her family's internment) - and walks around Green Lake during the last decade.
Margaret Daubert
Friend
April 26, 2021
I consider myself to be lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Judy at Baker Middle School. She truly cared and was always doing the right thing.
Brad Blackburn
Coworker
April 25, 2021
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