Merry Makiye Ishino

Merry Makiye Ishino was born on June 4, 1928, in Seattle, Washington, to Masu and Kinzo Hikida; she was the fifth of nine children. The Hikida family lived in the South Park neighborhood in South Seattle until the family was forcibly incarcerated in concentration camps during World War II. They were first sent to the Puyallup Assembly Center, where they spent several months before being transferred to the Minidoka concentration camp near Twin Falls, Idaho, in 1942.

After the family's release from Minidoka in 1945, Merry returned to Seattle, where she worked as a live-in housekeeper for a dentist in north Seattle while attending and later graduating from Roosevelt High School. In 1952, she married Joe Ishino and raised four sons and a daughter at their residence on Beacon Hill. Merry worked as a secretary at T. T. Minor Elementary School, then as an Accounts Payable clerk at Oberto Sausage Company until she retired in 1992.

After her retirement, Merry enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren; watching Korean dramas, Jeopardy, and other gameshows; monthly poker/potluck luncheons with close friends; and trips to the horse race track, casinos, and occasionally to Reno and Las Vegas. She taught herself how to use a personal computer and quickly became adept at making custom calendars, complete with family photos, birthdays, and other events. Always thinking about her family, she designed personalized greeting cards which she sent out on birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and other occasions. She created a lasting family legacy by producing and sharing our family tree with photos, marriage, and birthdates. Merry was a regular at the monthly Nisei Vets senior luncheon where she would enjoy a delicious meal prepared by NVC volunteers, visit with longtime friends, and play bingo.

On August 25, 2025, Merry passed away peacefully at the age of 97 at Newcastle Gardens Senior Home. She is survived by her sons Steve (Fumiko), Gordon, Glenn, Scot (Traci), daughter Jolene (Steve) Louie; grandchildren Kai (Betty) and Manu Ishino, Lian and Karli Louie; great-granddaughter Mia Ishino; sisters May Chin, Rose Fukano, and Ruth Sumida, brother Jim Hikida; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe; parents Kinzo and Masu (Nishida) Hikida; brothers George, Harry and Ben Hikida, and sister Mary Shimizu.

Merry devoted her life to her family, friends, and community. She will be remembered for her kindness, cheerful "merry" disposition, and the warmth she shared with everyone she met. Her legacy of love, compassion, and "merry" spirit will continue to inspire us all, and her memory will forever live on in our hearts.

Private services were held. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Merry may be made to the Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC) Senior lunch program, NVC Foundation, or your favorite charity.