Mary Kiyoko Tanaka passed away peacefully on August 1, 2024. She was the second child born to Kumajiro and Oito Nagata.

Mary was born in Fresno, California,on November 16, 1922. She graduated from Central Union High School in 1940.

Mary, along with thousands of Japanese Americans, was sent to internment camps during World War II. Before being sent to the camp in Jerome, Arkansas, she and her family were detained at the Fresno County Fairgrounds. While at the camp in Arkansas, she and her sisters were allowed to leave and seek employment in the Midwest. They were not allowed to return to the West Coast.

She found a job in Cleveland, Ohio as a nanny and housekeeper. The Loofburrow's, according to Mary, were the kindest and non racist people she ever met. Sometime during her employment with the Loofburrows's she left to work as a seamstress in a clothing manufacturing company. When the war ended, she returned to California.

In 1946 she met her future husband Joe. They were married fifty six years before his passing in 2002. Joe worked hard as a farmer before health issues required him to quit. Mary was a hard working farmer's wife.

After Joe quit farming he went into the retail grocery business as a manager at a small store on the Westside of Fresno, Mary went to work as an accounts receivable clerk at National Service Industries. After she retired, they enjoyed traveling and especially going to Pismo Beach. Joe loved to fish and Mary learned to fish for Joe. As a couple, their love for each other was boundless.

Mary is survived by her son Wayne, grandson Matthew Elmore, great grandson Steven Katsuji Elmore, great granddaughter Chloe Kiyoko Elmore and sisters Dorothy Kimura, Ruth Kurihara, brother Ernest Nagata, and many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Joe, her parents, sister Sally Nagata, brothers Harry and George Nagata, and daughters, Jeneese Ludvigsen and Jodene Tanaka.

A special thank you to Paintbrush Assisted Living for, providing excellent care for four and a half years and to Lenity Home Care for the last few days of her life.

Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at Fresno, Memorial Gardens at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the United Japanese Christian Church . Mary was a devout Christian and member of UJCC.