Yoshiko Arthur

A beloved wife, mother, grandmother (lovingly known as “Nana”) and sister, Yoshiko Arthur, 95, of Yokohama, Japan, passed away at her home November 20, 2024 with family by her side. She was born October 15, 1929 in Yokohama, Japan, and resided in Hudson, New Hampshire for the past 59 years with her devoted husband Ralph of 68 years. Yoko grew up in Yokohama, Japan and graduated from Takagi Girls High School in 1945. She continued her education at the Tatsumi Flower Arrangement School, Tatsumi Dressmaking School and the Yamate Business College where she studied English Language. She worked from 1951-1953 as a clerk at The Anritsu Electric Company. In 1954 she worked as a waitress at The Camp Moore Officers’ Club where she gave one particularly handsome US soldier a few extra cups of coffee and it flourished into a lifetime of love, adventure and happiness. On August 14,1956 Yoko married the young soldier at the American Consulate in Yokohama, Japan. In 1957 Yoko and Ralph moved to the United States and resided with Ralph’s parents on their family farm in Deerfield Township, New York while Ralph pursued further education. In 1960 Ralph and Yoko moved to Needham Heights, Massachusetts. From August of 1964-August 1965, Ralph and Yoko worked tirelessly to build their house together in Hudson, New Hampshire. She worked for Microwave Development Labs from 1961-1965. From 1965-1979 she committed to raising a family with Ralph and together they adopted 2 children lovingly raising them as their own. In 1979, after both girls were enrolled in school full time, Yoshiko worked at Certronics in Nashua, New Hampshire from 1979-1982 and the Harris Corporation in Nashua, New Hampshire from 1982-1987. Yoko was the heart and light of our home and she was loved by everyone that knew her. She was always kind, loving, gracious and welcoming to everyone she met. She had a keen sense of humor. If you came to visit our home, you always knew you would never leave without being well fed and loved! She was multi-talented and she loved to devote her spare time to those talents throughout her years. She was an exceptional flower gardener, talented seamstress, outstanding cook and had a hidden ability of drawing. As young children, our mother would make all of our clothes from dresses, ponchos, hats, mittens, matching outfits and warm, beautiful crocheted blankets. She was well known by our friends for bringing nori rolls and rice balls for everyone to enjoy. We all have fond memories of our countless weekend camping trips to Greenfield State Park. Later in life, our parents enjoyed going on their Sunday drives together all over the state of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Ralph John Arthur of Herkimer, New York; daughter Linda Heyes and husband Kevin, of Livermore,California; grandson John Dalessio III; daughter Susan Arthur of Lamoine, Maine; grandsons Tyler Fronczak, Trevor Fronczak; granddaughters Brittany Fronczak and Nicole Fronczak; brother Nobuo Minowa and sister-in-law Fuji; sister Mariko and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hiroyoshi and Fuji Minowa; sisters Mitsuko, Shizuko, Toyoko and Sachiko and brother Isamu. A graveside service was held for the immediate family at 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 26th, at Olden-Barneveld Cemetery, Barneveld, New York. A celebration of life will be held in late spring in Hudson, New Hampshire. Arrangements are under the care of Dumont-Sullivan Funeral Home in Hudson, New Hampshire and Autenrith Funeral Home in Newport, New York.

Yoshiko Arthur

October 15, 1929 - November 20, 2024