MichikoTanaka was born on January 6, 1931 to Masaharu and Kiyoko Tanaka in Osaka, Japan, and was the third of six children.
After attending a women’s college in Kobe, Japan, she worked for the US Army where she met and married Clem Shamus, an American soldier. After the birth of daughter Diane, they came to the US where she was accepted with open arms and much love by the Shamus family. After many assignments/moves and 4 more children – Anna, Hank, Joanne, and Suzanne, she eventually moved to Florida and settled in Central Florida where at one time, all of her children lived.
Coming from another country, Michiko faced many difficulties, but through her courage, determination and strength, overcame cultural differences, alienation, and language barriers and proudly became an American citizen in 1957.
Known to many as “Kay”, she had a special way of connecting with people, getting to know her children’s and grandchildren’s friends, families and neighbors, as well as bosses, coworkers, customers, and many others through the years. She was kind and funny and greatly loved.
She devoted her life to her family and for many years, helped raise each of her grandchildren. Her talents for sewing and crafting will live on in the things she handmade for each of us. She was an exceptional cook and the memories of her simple but delicious dishes will remind us of how much she loved us and the joy she felt caring for us.
Michiko passed away peacefully on October 27, 2022, at the age of 91. She is survived by 4 of her siblings in Japan and their families, her 5 children – Diane/Chris Lovely, Anna/Frank Dorroh, Hank Shamus, Joanne/David Rose, Suzy/Marc Kaczmarek, 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She was cherished and will be deeply missed, but knowing she is now resting pain free in Heaven is yet another gift from her to us.