Ikuko "Cookie" CHAN

CHAN, Ikuko "Cookie" (Age 98) Left us November 27, 2018, a few days after her 98th birthday, due to heart failure. Born to Seiso and Kimiyo Bitow, immigrants from Hiroshima, Japan, she grew up in Seattle and Portland. In 1942, after executive order 9066, the Bitow family was forced to leave their Seattle home and immediately report to an internment camp or be sponsored in an inland city. Due to the generous sponsorship of the Oshima family, Cookie and her family landed in Spokane. From there, both her older brothers would join the army while their father was interned for two years. Growing up on the lower Capitol Hill of Seattle, Cookie enjoyed all the activities offered by the Japanese-American community: church activities, public school, movies, dances, sports and Japanese school. Always adventuresome, she was fond of riding a bike down the city's hills with her feet on the handlebars. After finishing high school at an all-girls school in Portland, Cookie pursued her dream of a custom dress maker by attending the Parsons School of Design in New York City. She fondly remembered those days, living at the International House, close to the campus of Columbia University. After completing her four-year degree, Cookie set up her own shop, Madamosielle, in downtown Spokane. In 1949, she was introduced to a Spokane restauranteur, Robert (Bobby) Chan. They married in 1950. Cookie initially became a homemaker. In their northside neighborhood, parent and kids -- Jaydene (Dee Dee), Paul and Elizabeth (Liz) -- were warmly welcomed and made several lifetime friends. When Bobby died an early death, Cookie moved in with Liz. Until the last few years of her life, she always lived with one her three children. Throughout the years, she was active in her church, Highland Park Methodist, and the Japanese American Citizens League. In 2012, Cookie began her final residence at Odd Fellows retirement home of Walla Walla. There she enjoyed a warm community life. She embraced the varied activities at Odd Fellows, including art classes, bingo, choir, outings and especially exercise sessions. In fact, during her final hours at the hospital, she asked her daughters when she could leave to attend her exercise class. In turn, the staff embraced her zest for life. Cookie was especially fond of children and animals. The family had many dogs, with the most recent a poodle whose photo always had a place on her dresser. She worked for several years as a teacher's aide at Holmes and Ridgeview elementary schools. And Cookie was devoted to her one grandchild, Melissa Claire, currently an engineering student at the University of Portland. Cookie is pre-deceased by her husband, Robert and brothers Leonard and Nobi. She is survived by her three children, their spouses and her granddaughter: Dee Dee Chan-Jones (Patrick, Melissa), Paul Chan (Cynthia) and Liz Shepley (Chris). She is also survived by a large set of nephews and nieces and their children. Following Cookie's wishes, the family will not hold a celebration of her life. But we will hold her memories dear. The family asks that any donations be directed to Odd Fellows, 534 Boyer Avenue, Walla Walla, 99362, attention: Activities.