• やこちゃん(真知子)は虚飾を好まず、あるがままの心から信頼出来る大切な友でした。

Machiko and I knew each other for many years. We first met when we worked for Japanese companies in Seattle that did business with each other. I was impressed with Machiko’s upbeat and can-do attitude. She was always sensitive about the needs of others.

Our backgrounds and interests were similar. We had both worked in Tokyo for large corporations and had married American husbands. Our common interests – art, cooking, sewing and travel – gave us much to talk about. In addition, we both had children who left the Seattle area for college and upon graduation did not return to this area. Machiko’s children were always her priority, and she was proud that she was able to give all of them an excellent education.

I will miss her.

I still remember the first time I met Machiko, which was when she brought a  big container of chirashi sushi for the United Way pot luck lunch at DWT.   I introduced myself and thanked her as I knew it must have taken her a lot of time to prep all the toppings; it was the best dish at the pot luck.  

And her generosity continued --- from time to time I'd come into the office and I'd find a surprise homemade lunch from Machiko on my desk -- sometimes inarizushi and sometimes chirashi, but always with hashi and a napkin to make the meal complete, and often a little candy for dessert.  

I enjoyed talking and laughing with her about our families, her wide-ranging interests, including opera, and the different things she wanted to  do after retiring from DWT.   She was so modest and didn't want anyone to make a fuss, so I'll always remember her shocked expression  when she walked into the surprise retirement party that Judith arranged for her. 

I will miss her quick smile and her thoughtfulness.  My sympathy to her family and loved ones.