Pauline Nishimura

Pauline Michiko (Itano) Nishimura passed quietly on April 4, 2025 in the Chicago suburbs at age 89.
She was born to Roy Masao Itano and Helen Shizuko Tsuda Itano Ohno in the Little Tokyo area of Los Angeles, CA in 1935 and three years later, welcomed a little brother, Ronald Isao Itano. During World War II, along with more than 120,000 Japanese Americans, her family was forcibly moved to one of the 10 internment camps. The Itano family went to Manzanar War Relocation Center in California.
Once the war was over, her father had a unique skill set as a chicken sexer, the family moved to Minnesota and then emigrated to Chicago's South Side in heavily Japanese
American-populated area of Hyde Park. In Chicago, she joined The Colleens, a Japanese social club in the 50s. She met Kenneth Kenzo Nishimura during the many teen dances and married in 1960, celebrating their 60 years together.
Pauline and Kenzo had three children, Karyn, Kurt and Kristi (also known as the Three Ks) and lived in Wrigleyville in a three-flat before moving to Carol Stream, Illinois from 1969 until her passing. The Nishimuras were the first Japanese family in that Chicago suburb and she became the Village's informal welcome wagon to many families of color thereafter. Throughout the years, you could see Pauline at the Carol Stream tennis courts, pool, baseball diamonds, football field, schools, and as one of the famous lunch ladies at Glenbard North High School.
She worked in various jobs but took special pride in the relationships she developed at Commodore Computers, Micro, LANDA, and School Health Supply. Many of her colleagues became life-long friends and calabash family members.
Pauline was particularly proud of her grandchildren, Gia and Stevie Nishimura and Skyler Sneath. They all kept her young and interested in their work, cooking, art, schoolwork, sports, and activities. Great-grandson, Brandon, brought her back to the Glenbard North football fields, Armstrong Park baseball diamonds, and suburban basketball courts. Bonus child, son-in-law Steve Sneath, was often called upon for his handyman skills and even-keeled nature.
Pauline will be remembered for many things. She was the informal "Auntie" to dozens of/bonus nieces and nephews in addition to her own blood family. She was Mrs. Nish to the extended friendship circle. Because of her, we will always think, "it's better to have too much food than not enough" for parties. We'll all smile and cry a little bit whenever we hear "Did you eat yet?"
Service/Celebration of Life Information
Saturday, June 7, 2025
10:30 am visitation - 11:00 am Service
Bloomingdale Church
264 Glen Ellyn Rd, Bloomingdale, IL 60108
(Parking and entrance is in the back)
In lieu of flowers, donations should be given Japanese American Citizens League, 5415 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 in memory of Pauline Nishimura.