Iris Atoji lived a remarkable life, from internment camps during World War II, accomplished pianist, medical technologist, and beloved mother and grandmother. She's remembered for her rice balls during road trips, wonderfully wrapped birthday presents, and the way she read the Wall Street Journal from cover-to-cover. She worked full-time until 80 years old, never missing a day of work and earning a "most valuable worker" award. Her co-workers were dear friends and she enjoyed going to the annual work party in August.

Iris and her deceased husband Masao had stacks of photo albums documenting their world travels, which took them from Machu Picchu in Peru to the Great Wall of China. Even at 91, she was typing emails to her children and grandchildren, and though she had one eye blind from cataracts, was an avid reader. She never lost her mental acuity, even to the end, and was an encyclopedia of news and facts. She suffered often from pneumonia and became increasingly frail, but was always determined to exercise and walk. She was never much of a cook – microwaved and easy prep were her forte – but she always ate with gusto and it was amazing how much food she could pack away at a buffet. She never knew how to swim, but she made sure her children could swim well, and we did.

As she grew older, she seemed to have not just nine lives but a hundred lives, bouncing back from every illness. Even at the end, she whispered to us, "I'm thinking of you always. I'll try to get better." But age and illness were too much of a burden, and she surrendered, as we all must eventually, to the great unknown on the evening of June 23rd. No doubt she is in heaven, reading the paper, walking the block, and looking down at all of us.

We love you, mother and grandmother. No one can take your place, and we will remember you always. Please share your memories and thoughts here too. Thank you, Naomi, Cynthia and David (daughters and son); Ken and Adam (grandchildren); Kevin, Christopher and Jenine, sons and daughter in law.