Michiko Nishida Obituary

MICHIKO NISHIDA Michiko Nishida (1929-2025) passed away peacefully on February 15, 2025 at the age of 95 with daughter Laurel and son-in-law Grant by her side. Wife of Hiroshi and mother of three (son Craig, Laurel, and son Clinton), Michiko was born in Hakalau and grew up in the countryside of the Big Island, the fourth child of five, daughter of Kiichi and Itoyo, and sister to Haruo, Fumie, Fumiko, and Edwin. She met her future husband and fellow educator while studying at the University of Hawaii. Love soon followed. A devoted and loving wife and mother, part driver, part cook, part everything, she raised three kids while continuing to work. Michiko followed her calling and, through teaching, passed on knowledge to the next generation's youth. Affectionately nicknamed "Queen Mother" by some of her students, Michiko touched the lives of hundreds over the course of her decades as a math teacher, mainly at Roosevelt High School in Honolulu. In retirement, she found a new passion in Hawaiian quilting, excelling and becoming teacher once again to her many adult students/friends. In addition to quilting, Michiko enjoyed tending to her vast collection of orchids and desert roses, trips to Japan and Vegas, Japanese shows, and rooting for UH athletics. If you were fortunate enough to have been in line with her somewhere, you probably talked story with her and were a happier person for it. Private services were held. Michiko is survived by Craig, Laurel, and Clinton. Her love, kindness, generosity, and smarts will all be missed, by family, friends, and former students. Her legacy continues in the lives of all those she touched.