Haruye Yamagiwa

February 19, 1917 - March 01, 2013

Haruye Yamagiwa Obituary Born in Berkeley, CA on February 19, 1917, Haruye was sent to Japan with her older sister a few years later after her father's accidental death while her mother remained in California. After completing her education at a Buddhist boarding school in Hiroshima, she returned to the U.S., worked as a waitress, and married Hidejiro Yamagiwa in Portland, OR in August 1937. Hidejiro was a foreman for the Spokane, Portland, and Seattle Railways and after the birth of two sons was transferred to Levy, WA. The family grew to six before moving to Amber, WA and eventually settled in Spokane where the last child was born. While busy raising a family Haruye operated the Sandra Hotel and later the Leland Hotel. After moving to a home on West 18th Avenue where she remained for the rest of her life, she was employed by St. Augustine's Catholic Church. In her retirement she loved gardening, cooking and cooking shows, and watching Korean dramas. Her husband and three sons, Michihiko, Robert Hideaki and Paul Osamu, predeceased her. Survivors include a son, Andrew Tsutomu (and LaVerne) Yamagiwa of Topock, Arizona; daughter, Harumi (and Frank Ying M.) Yee of Littleton, CO; daughter-in-law, Jane Yamagiwa of Seattle, WA; daughter-in-law, Myrna Locsin of Bothell, WA; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and an older sister and other relatives in Yamaguchi-ken, Japan. A memorial service was held for the family in her home.