Lily Y. Fuller

Lily Yuriko Fuller passed peacefully at home Saturday, June 22, 2024.
Yuriko Takatsuka (aka Lily Fuller) was born in Shimonoseki, Yamaguich-ken, Japan in 1931. She was born into a family of 5 in a port city. As a child and young adult Lily was disciplined, detail oriented and excelled in all areas of her life. During her childhood, she was fortunate enough to learn flower arranging, Japanese dance and doll making.
After the war, her dream was to become a doctor, but her brother was the one to attend medical school due to finances. That was when she decided to go to sewing school in Beppu, where her Aunt lived. She was extremely talented and would look at the Sears & Roebuck catalogs for her inspirations to make fashionable western style clothes.
In 1949, Lily met her husband Jay who was a G.I. stationed in Beppu, Japan. Jay was smitten by Lily's beauty and pursued her for months to convince her, (through an interpreter), to go out with him. Her father was against the marriage, but Lily quietly left home to marry Jay in March 1954 at the American Embassy in Tokyo. Before the death of Harvey Jay Fuller in 2003, they were married 49 years.
Like many war brides, Lily traveled to the United States from Yokohama, Japan only to be listed separately on the shipping manifest from Jay and Lillian. When they arrived in Seattle, they were greeted by Jay's older brother. During their short visits to Idaho and California, she met Jay's eight brothers and sisters. Not speaking any English, she had the warmth and smile that immediately resonated into love for Jay's wife and daughter. After their arrival, the family lived in Kansas, Germany and Washington. Lily's mother lived with them in Tacoma for several years. As her mother's health declined, they thought it best to move her to Hawaii, where they retired.
Lily and Jay were members of Lake City Community Church in Lakewood, WA. Lily was influential in recruiting many Japanese women and their husbands to attend the church, with many being led to the Lord. It seemed that Lily knew and had connections with all the Japanese wives in Lakewood.
Lily used her skills as a seamstress at Andrew's Clothing Apparel in Lakewood for 25 years. This is were she learned much of her English and how to communicate with high-end customers. When she retired to Honolulu, Casa Bella in Waikiki heard of her alteration skills and immediately hired her. She worked there for over ten years.
In 2011, Lily moved to Salinas, CA to be closer to her daughter, son in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In later years, Lily was a staple in the Merritt Home. She could be found in her blue chair watching Sumo wrestling, Japanese TV and Korean dramas. She passed on the Japanese culture to the great grandchildren, which they love. When they were young, they would eat anything off her chopsticks that she fed them, like little birds.
She was radiant, social, poised and polished. Lily valued her family and her relationship with the Lord above all else. Family members Lily left behind are her only child, Lillian (Dave), grandsons Kyle (Brianne) and Casey (Grace) and great grandchildren, Andrew, Bailey, Lucas, Caroline, Carter and Blake.
She was truly blessed in life and is now resting peacefully in heaven.
Service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 1, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church gym, 830 Padre Drive, Salinas, CA. Following the service, Dave and Lillian invite you for refreshments.