Virginia Sumiko Ishida

Jan 6, 1929 - March 6, 2021

Virginia Sumiko (Ginny) Ishida passed away peacefully at home in Belmont on March 6, 2021 surrounded by family. She was a third generation Japanese American, born by midwife on January 6, 1929 at Roger Reynolds Nursery in Menlo Park where her uncle worked. Her parents, Takeki and Sadame Sakamoto, raised their four children (Ginny was the oldest) in San Mateo where they owned Tokyo Cleaners on B Street near 4th Avenue. During World War II, Ginny’s family was staged at Tanforan Race Track before relocation to the Japanese internment camp in Topaz, Utah. After camp, Ginny graduated from Lincoln High School (Class of 1947) in Orem, Utah. She enjoyed attending Lincoln High class reunions through 2011 and typically won the award for traveling the farthest.

While in Utah, Ginny met her future husband, Yoshikazu (Yo) Ishida, on a blind date to a Harlem Globetrotters event. Yo and Ginny returned to San Mateo where they married in 1951. Despite redlining, in 1954 they bought their first and only home in Belmont on Yo’s VA loan and raised five children: David (Gloria), Elizabeth (Raydeceased), Judy, Susan and Chrissie (Phil). Yo and Ginny shared great pride being active contributors to their neighborhood, Belmont community and children’s activities.

Ginny had many talents and continually embraced new skills that she shared, whether practical cooking, baking, sewing, crochet, knitting, painting and photography skills; or emotional counsel, solace and empathy. She was a beloved Den Mother and Troop Leader for Cub Scouts, Brownies and Girl Scouts. Ginny enthusiastically supported Yo’s coaching of Little League, Babe Ruth and Pop Warner sports and she managed Bobbie Sox softball while Yo coaced. Ginny lent her artistic skills to Cipriani PTA events (Spook-A-Roo, Saturday Movie Matinee) and the Carlmont Booster Club and Grad Night committees. She was a Belmont Elementary School Yard Duty and Teacher’s Aid at Cipriani and Central Schools. Cipriani and Carlmont alumni share fond memories of “Mrs. Ishida’’ for her beautiful smile, enthusiasm and loving nature; giving her lunch to those who forgot theirs; the firm yard duty whistle and voice of authority identifying the offender by surname; the loud cowbell and boisterous cheerleading from the sidelines. She enjoyed bowling, neighborhood gatherings and Pinochle with her peers.

She enjoyed traveling and attending SF Giants games, concerts and the SHN Best of Broadway productions. She was a Bay Area sports fanatic of all teams be it basketball, football or baseball.

In 1983, Yo, suffered a major brain stem stroke that left him physically dependent. Ginny took on a new role as Yo’s dedicated caregiver at home until his passing in 2011. It was during this time that the tradition of the Ishida’s “Sunday Dinner” at their home was born for the expanding family to gather and share time together. Sunday Dinners continued until March 15, 2020, the last one held due to the COVID pandemic. Yes, the family had corned beef with cabbage, potatoes and carrots.

In essence, what Ginny shared during her life was her unconditional love; for her family, her pets, her friends, our friends, with anyone who met her. It was reflected by her happy smile, strong hugs, compassion and conviction to trust. She was a safe harbor. Despite life’s adversity, Ginny had a positive outlook and everyday was anew, a clean slate.

Her greatest treasure has always been and shall always be her family which held her and loved her until her last breath. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Robert. Ginny is survived by: her brother, Gordon Sakamoto (Muts) of San Jose and sister, Evelyn Keiko Sasamoto of Vancouver, Washington; her five children; six grandchildren: Jamal Ishida (Mercy), Victor Ishida (Briana), Ryan Nowakowski (Mari), Kelli Nowakowski, Traci Storer (Kory), Trinity Reynolds, and eleven great-grandchildren: Alyssa, Nolan, and Asher Ishida; Kailee, Chase, Kirra, and Koa Ishida; Ryder, Mila, and Rayden Nowakowski; Camryn Storer.

Her family wishes to thank all of the family members and friends who have loved her through the years and through her recent illness. She lived a full life full of love.

Memorial services to be determined later due to Covid.