Hideko Shirahama

Services for Hideko Shirahama, 100, of Chicago, were privately held on August 5, 2025.

Hideko was born on November 9, 1924, in Walnut Grove, CA to Toshiro and Naoe Yoshida. Hideko passed away on Monday, August 4, 2025.

She was small, but mighty, resilient, determined and stubborn in the best ways possible. Hideko lost her mom when she was young and lived in an orphanage until her father was able to resume care of her and her siblings. During WW2 her family was relocated to the Rohwer internment camp. Hideko and her two sisters lived in Ohio after being released from Rohwer. Eventually, she moved to Chicago and met her late husband Tsutomu Shirahama. Together, they raised four children. When he passed away, she surprised everyone by learning how to drive for the first time at the age of 71! Hideko had a scrunched up smile - her eyes shut so tight and grinning from ear to ear. It made everyone smile and want to be around her. She took things in stride and carried on stronger than ever even surviving a house fire in 2017. She enjoyed puzzles, game shows, Dr. Pimple Popper, playing cards, Snapchat filters, sweets, swimming, gardening, sewing and crafting. Never learned how to ride a bike but enjoyed going for rides on the back of her Granny Trike! Her family loved her little sayings, like Holy Macrol, Golly, I’m a fool, I sleep, Scarebaby, Wollyball, Frigidaire, Tank you, and the unforgettable Wallamelon! Favorite memories include the best family taco feasts, family takeout Chinese food gatherings, Saturday night poker games (or anytime!), swimming at the YMCA, Saturday morning shopping at Target with her wallet in her back pocket, breakfast at diners, playing puppy and hairdresser, cheetah print towel car seat covers, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and tuna patties.

Hideko was the beloved wife of the late, Tsutomu ‘James’ Shirahama; loving mother of Sharon (Jon Ehrhardt), Mark (Kim), Glen, and Lance; cherished grandmother of Jenna (James Jones), Dana (Steve Sadorf), Justin (Karah), Anthony (Lucie), Ashlee, Michael (Christina), Daniel (Cait), and Taylor; dear great-grandmother of Avery, Baya, Casen, Corey, Jordyn, Kennedy, Emmett, Max, Michelle and Iza; aunt and great aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her siblings; Minoru, Alice (Hirahara), Mary (Young), and Aki.