Hisako Paulson died on Dec. 30, 2003. She was 82 years old.

She was born in Japan Feb. 28, 1920, and came to the United States at age 37, in 1957. She worked in a jewelry factory in Seattle for many years. She became close friends with Melvin and Jacquetta Paulson on Vashon Island.

Eventually, after Jacquetta’s death, Melvin and Hisako married. They lived on Vashon until 1996, when they moved to the Federal Way area.

After his death in 2001, she moved to Foundation House.

She was a member of the Japanese Rainbow Choral group in Seattle. She also enjoyed traveling, flower gardening, crafts and cooking. She had an interesting sense of humor, and her many Vashon friends say they will miss her.