On January 15, 2017, Mary Mitsuko Endo Tonai, great wife, mother, sister, auntie, cousin and friend, left us after her valiant four year-five month battle with pancreatic cancer. We were fortunate to have had her with us for so long.  Now, she can walk and run among flowers and sunshine, again.

Mary was born on February 6, 1932 to Tozo and Ei Endo, originally of Kanagawa-ken, Japan, on a farm near Pajaro in Monterey County, California.  She was the 8th of 10 children.

Her childhood years were spent in Salinas, California where she attended a 2-room school house. During World War II, the family was forced to relocate to Salinas Assembly Center then Poston II Relocation Center in Arizona. Upon their release, they moved to Long Beach, California where Mary graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 1948. By pooling and saving all their wages, her family was able to purchase their home in Silver Lake. At that time, Mary became a seamstress at William Cahill of Beverly Hills, a world-renown wedding gown designer.

At a Valentine's Day dance in 1950, Mary met Minoru "Min" Tonai and soon began dating. Their courtship lasted many years and included his stint in the Army during the Korean War, college graduation and the start of his career.

Mary and Min were happily married on September 8, 1956 in Los Angeles and recently celebrated their 60 ^th wedding anniversary.  They had three children, who were the loves of her life: Susan; John; and Teresa.  Mary always unselfishly offered her full support and care to her family and was quietly very proud of each of their many accomplishments.

Mary always looked forward to reunions with her girls club, the Kahunas, and over the years, she enjoyed volunteering for numerous organizations. During her many years at the Japanese American National Museum, she made wonderful friends and received their Outstanding Volunteer Administration Award in 1998.

She is now with her beloved departed parents, siblings - Jerry, Bill, Jim, and Nancy Miya, and other relatives and friends. Besides her husband and children, she also leaves behind her sisters – Yae Nagai and Elinor Sakado; brothers - Tak, Its and George; in-laws - Carole; Mitchell Sakado and Yutaka Tonai; her many nephews and nieces; cousins; friends and their families.

Goodbye Mary, we miss you dearly and we'll see you again.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Mary's family and close friends at the Japanese American National Museum February 25 ^th at 10:30 AM.  Colorful attire is encouraged.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in memory of Mary Tonai to the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation or the Japanese American National Museum.