Meiko Mae Nishiyori

1940 – 2014

Born in Tacoma, Washington in 1940 to Yukichi and Ayako Nishiyori, Meiko Mae Nishiyori was raised on Vashon by a pioneering Vashon family. She attended Vashon Island schools and was graduated from the high school in 1958.

During summers on Vashon, she worked in local berry fields and was the star harvester of strawberries in any field in which she picked.

Meiko was graduated from Central Washington University with a major in art and a minor in textiles. She taught art in public schools in Oregon for 30 years, first in Brookings, Oregon, but primarily in Redmond, Oregon. It was in Redmond that she raised her daughter, Richelle.

There are generations of students in Redmond who developed a love of the arts as a result of their time in her classes. Her students exhibited their work at community events and at local colleges. She was loved by her students and respected by the community.

After retirement, Meiko returned to Vashon and built a new home on the site of the old family home. She had a gift for making people feel welcome in her home.

She loved laughter, fine art, classical music, family barbeques and her little dog, Dixie. She could find the good in people and the beauty in things.

She is survived by the joy of her life, her daughter Richelle, by her two brothers, Taro and Roy Nishiyori and their families, and by her life-long friend, Ruth Johnson.

She was laid to rest in Vashon Cemetery.

A memorial service for Meiko will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, June 5, at Vashon United Methodist Church.

Donations in Meiko’s name can be made to Vashon Island Pet Protectors, PO Box 245, Vashon, Washington 98070, www.vipp.org

Please visit the online guest book @ www.islandfuneral.com

Paid Obituary.