Masako “Marcie” (Takahashi) Hamada

Masako “Marcie” (Takahashi) Hamada - 1922 to 2022

At almost 100 years young, Masako “Marcie” Hamada peacefully passed on January 10, 2022 of natural causes at Hospice House South, Spokane, Washington.

Masako was born in Seattle, Washington on February 21,1922 to Kumazo and Toshi (Kato) Takahashi as the 6th of 7 children. During the War, the family had two options to either voluntarily leave the West Coast military exclusion zone or go to a relocation camp. Her family relocated inland to Southern Idaho. Masako and her younger sister, Yuki, went to Chicago, Illinois to attend Art School when it was cleared to travel to Chicago. Masako returned to Idaho where she met Harry H. Hamada (1919-1988) who was serving in the Japanese American 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team. They were married on January 7, 1947. They lived and worked on their large farm in Greenleaf, Idaho for many years and raised two daughters, Bonnie and Alice.

In 1962, they sold their farm and moved to Mountain Home, Idaho where they built and operated a family-owned convenience store and garden center called Little Harry’s Beverage. After several years, they sold Little Harry’s and Harry returned to farming. Masako went to work at Elmore County Memorial Hospital until she retired 25 years later.

Marcie had many talents. She had a beautiful voice and handwriting. She enjoyed taking pictures, making picture cards/albums, decorating cakes, quilting and crafting. She loved swimming, water aerobics and line dancing. She was hardworking, persevering, kind and considerate.

After Harry passed away in November 1988, Marcie continued to actively donate her time and energy to the Mountain Home community by volunteering at the Hospital Auxiliary, Senior Citizens Center, First Congregational Church, Historical Society, Visitor’s Center, Elkettes and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Before Marcie moved to Spokane, Washington in May of 2005, she was honored with a dinner and presented with the Key to the City by the Mayor of Mountain Home for her many hours of volunteerism and contribution to the community.

Her philosophy was to stay active, keep moving and learning. Marcie walked every day whether it was a mile or a block. She enjoyed life well into her late 90s.

Masako “Marcie” Hamada is preceded in death by her parents, Kumazo and Toshi (Kato) Takahashi, husband, Harry H. Hamada, her 6 siblings, Hatsuo (Mae Tamura), Tsugio (Kimi Tsubota), Mineko Mukai (George), Yoshio (Ayako “Joyce” Sakauye), Koichi, and Yukiko “Judy” Katagiri (Dave). She is survived by her children, Bonnie Hamada (David DeGraff) and Alice Edman (Vance), Sister-in-Laws, Ame Kobayashi, and Joan Hamada, many nieces and nephews, her DeGraff Family, Kayano Family and beloved sister of choice, Ada Honda.

Graveside services will be held at Mountain View Cemetery, Mountain Home, Idaho on Friday, August 26, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. American Legion Post 26, 515 East 2nd South Mtn. Home, Idaho.

The family is grateful for the care from the Hospice of Spokane, Hospice House South and Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel (Mtn. Home, ID).