Surrounded by family, Nadyne Yoneko “Meema” Dozono passed away on June 17, 2013, after a rich and full life. As the 98-year old matriarch of her family, she instilled a sense of love and togetherness that is enduring; at just before midnight on the night before her passing, nearly 20 family members gathered at her bedside to sing songs and tell stories. Yoneko laughed along with her trademark chuckle and characteristically rated the chorus “not bad.”

Nadyne was born Feb. 4, 1915, in Portland, the last surviving of nine children born to first generation Japanese immigrants, Chotaro and Toyono Niguma. She attended Buckman Grammar School and Washington High School, becoming a champion swimmer and diver. At age 16, her parents sent her to Seki City, Gifu, Japan, to be educated and cultured. There, she learned the Japanese cultural arts of ikebana (flower arranging) and tea ceremony.

In 1934, Yoneko married Asazo Dozono, a graduate of Tokyo University who later became the youngest high school principal in Japan. Following WWII, she worked as an interpreter for the Occupational Government in Okayama and later for the U.S. Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission in Hiroshima. Yoneko returned to Portland with her daughter, Keiko in 1953. A year later, her husband and two sons, Robert and Sho followed. She worked for the Portland Public Schools for more than 20 years, until her retirement in 1977.

Nadyne made friends easily and maintained friendships across continents and for many decades, frequently visiting friends in California, Hawaii, England and Japan well into her late 80s. She was an avid bridge player and member of a weekly bridge game for many years. “Meema” was a prolific knitter, having knitted afghans for each of her 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and knitting an afghan for a great-grandchild as recently as two weeks ago. She made numerous extraordinary needlepoint designs, taught origami to generations of Richmond elementary schoolchildren and later seniors at her residence. Yoneko volunteered at the Ikoi No Kai community lunch program, taught exercise to seniors there until she was 90 and continued to attend as recently as last month.

Born in the year of the rabbit, she collected more than 130 ceramic, crystal, stuffed animal and tissue rabbits. Her many talents were surpassed only by her inextinguishable joie de vivre, hosting slumber parties for her grandchildren for more than 20 years, serving as the Veleda Club President for two terms and as a board member of the Japanese Ancestral Society for many years.

She is survived by her children, Keiko Dozono Nakata (George), Robert Dozono (Noriko) and Sho Dozono (Loen); 11 grandchildren, Deena, Elisa, Karla, Jody, Kristen, Darren, Alison, Stacey, Stephanie, Leslie and Tadashi; and seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to Ikoi No Kai or Epworth United Methodist Church.

Her funeral service will be private. There will be a public celebration of life at Epworth (1333 SE 28th Ave, Portland) on Wednesday, July 17, at 1 p.m.

Facts Born: February 4, 1915
Death: June 17, 2013