Ryo Shishido

1917 - 2023

Ryo Shishido's fantastic life ended on June 17, 2023, only 2 days before her 106th birthday! Ryo (Kakuta) was born and raised in Fukushima, Japan. She married Zensaku Shishido, also from Fukushima, in 1940 and immigrated with him to the Philippines. She was almost killed when the WWII started and Philippines became the battleground between the U. S. and Japanese forces! She had 4 children during this period but 2 did not survive the war. Her youngest son was born in 1947 after they returned to Fukushima, Japan. In 1955, the family immigrated to the U.S. under the Refugee Relief Act of 1952. They began their 2nd immigrant life on a strawberry farm in Morgan Hill. 5 years later, at age of 51, Zensaku became a very successful, self employed gardener. They lived briefly in Mtn. View and E. Palo Alto, then moved to their dream home in Sunnyvale in 1970. In her 50's Ryo started taking a correspondence Shamisen class offered by the Fujimoto School of Shamisen in Tokyo, Japan. She loved it and excelled in her study, earning a rank of an instructor! It allowed her to have her own shamisen class and teach under the granted name of Fujimoto Hideyoshi. She was also a talented singer and dancer of Japanese folk music, and became immersed in the world of shamisen, Japanese folk music and Japanese American social life! She spent the next 35 years teaching shamisen and performing at numerous community events. These were her happiest years!She withdrew from her shamisen and Japanese social life after suffering a devastating hearing loss! After her beloved husband died, she insisted on living independently until age 98! She finally moved in with her daughter in Cupertino where she remained for 8 years! She was in a Japanese style care facility for 2 months when she contracted COVID from another resident and died 2 days before her 106th birthday. Her mind remained crystal clear and she was looking forward to her birthday party! We are all shocked that the COVID caused her "early" death long after the pandemic was declared over!Ryo is survived by devoted children Eileen (Richard) Fujikawa, James Yoshinaga (Fumiye) Shishido and Hiroshi (Nazzi) Shishido; Grand children Russell Fujikawa, Wendy (Erick) Sugimura, Stephanie Alisa (Jason) Fisk, Grant Daisuke and Edward Yuji Shishido; Great grand children Lana and Emily Sugimura, Kimiko and Kenji Fisk. She has one younger sister and many nieces and nephews in Japan. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 26 at 3 PM at Mountain View Buddhist Temple, 575 North Shoreline Blvd., Mtn. View. Please be aware that masks are required for everyone attending the service