Hisayo Matsumoto

Born on Terminal Island, California, Hisayo was the cherished daughter of Yasukichi and Sumie Shimada. She attended Walizer Elementary School in Terminal Island and continued her education at Richard Dana Junior High School and San Pedro High School, graduating in June 1940. After high school, Hisayo worked at a local cannery.

During World War II, Hisayo and her family were forcibly relocated under Executive Order 9066, first to the Santa Anita Assembly Center and later to the Rohwer and Tule Lake Relocation Centers. Despite these immense hardships, Hisayo’s resilience and unwavering spirit carried her forward.

After the war, she returned in 1946 to Los Angeles, where she worked as a seamstress. On November 14, 1954, she married Stanley Matsumoto, and together, they welcomed their daughter, Grace Yumi. She dedicated many years to being a stay-at-home mother before going to work for Sud Yakura at J.E.M. for 27 years.

In 2017 Hisayo moved to San Antonio, Texas, to live with Grace and her husband, Curtis. There she found joy spending time with her family, attending Spurs basketball games, and cheering on her favorite teams. As a sports fan, she loved baseball (her beloved Dodgers), basketball (Spurs), and football (Texas A&M Aggies, where her granddaughter KD attended). She made it a point to keep her mind sharp by doing word puzzles and trying new things like learning to play the ukulele and piano. She also had a deep love for cats, good food, and above all, saving money – a hobby she proudly proclaimed was her favorite.

Though she was known for her frugality, Hisayo was also incredibly generous. She often helped family members in times of need, offering financial support without hesitation. She believed in the importance of taking care of loved ones, a value she carried throughout her life.

When asked about the secret to her longevity, she would say, “Eat well and walk every day.” When walking became too strenuous, she joined a local Silver Sneakers class where she could sit in a chair and move her body. She was an inspiration to the rest of her class. Her wisdom, warmth, and humor left a lasting impact on those who knew her.

Hisayo is survived by daughter, Grace (Curtis) Bennett; grandchildren, Robert, Michael, and KD; niece, Aimee Hamaguchi; nephew, Kay Nozawa; niece, Midori (Toshio) Ohashi; nephew, Atsushi (Akiko) Sogawa; nephew, Steven Shimada; niece, Sharyn (Ed) Huggins; nephew, Glenn (Lori) Shimada; nephew-in-law, Ralph Koizumi; and several great- and great-great nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Shigure Stanley Matsumoto; sisters ,Natsuko Nozawa and Chie Sogawa; brother, Peter Shimada, and niece, Jean Koizumi.

Hisayo’s resilience, love for life, and dedication to her family will be dearly missed and forever cherished.