Hideko Okusa
December 14, 1924 ~ January 23, 2021
On January 23, 2021, Hideko Okusa, 96, of Great Falls, VA, died quietly and peacefully at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Naomi and Thomas Dellinger. Hideko was the loving wife of Major Muneo Michael (Mike), who preceded her in death by 5 years; both were pillars of the family. They were married for 66 years. She is survived by her daughter, Naomi Okusa Dellinger (Tom), son, Mark Douglas Okusa (Diane), grandchildren, Kate Makiye Okusa (Kiri), Michael Kunio Okusa and Jason Takeo Okusa and great grandson, Adrian Takeo Okusa, born just a little over a month before Hideko passed away.
Hideko was born and raised in Fukui, Japan. She met Mike during the occupation of Japan during WWII when Mike was in the U.S. Army and stationed in Japan. She was a devoted military spouse who was an expert in the art of Ikebana (flower arrangement) and a master at bridge. As a military wife she relocated year after year and experienced life in many parts of the United States and in Japan and Okinawa. During the mid-point of her life she established herself as a hair stylist and established her own salon; she was a kind and formidable business woman. The latter part of her life she was a doting grandmother to her grandchildren. Passing down Japanese traditions to her children and grandchildren, she ensured that our Japanese heritage would not be forgotten. She will always be remembered for her perseverance and resiliency, as well as humor, warmth and generosity that she displayed with so many with whom she came into contact.
The family expresses their heartfelt thanks to the dedicated caregivers who became members of an extended Okusa family, especially Maria Alvarez, Herminia Winter, Ana M. Garcia,Veronica Rochas, Jamaica “Mic” Munoz and Anais Timm for providing loving care to Hideko and earlier to Mike.
Burial will take place in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date where she will be reunited with Mike and laid to rest next to him.
Hideko was born and raised in Fukui, Japan. She met Mike during the occupation of Japan during WWII when Mike was in the U.S. Army and stationed in Japan. She was a devoted military spouse who was an expert in the art of Ikebana (flower arrangement) and a master at bridge. As a military wife she relocated year after year and experienced life in many parts of the United States and in Japan and Okinawa. During the mid-point of her life she established herself as a hair stylist and established her own salon; she was a kind and formidable business woman. The latter part of her life she was a doting grandmother to her grandchildren. Passing down Japanese traditions to her children and grandchildren, she ensured that our Japanese heritage would not be forgotten. She will always be remembered for her perseverance and resiliency, as well as humor, warmth and generosity that she displayed with so many with whom she came into contact.
The family expresses their heartfelt thanks to the dedicated caregivers who became members of an extended Okusa family, especially Maria Alvarez, Herminia Winter, Ana M. Garcia,Veronica Rochas, Jamaica “Mic” Munoz and Anais Timm for providing loving care to Hideko and earlier to Mike.
Burial will take place in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date where she will be reunited with Mike and laid to rest next to him.
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