Misao Otani

Our mother passed away on December 20, 2025, at the age of 91. She was born on June 20, 1934 in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Ken, Japan. One of seven children born to Yasuzuchi Izumisaki and Sumiko Nagao. Wife to the late Yo Otani, mother to Miko Otani, Allen (Carol) Otani, Candy Otani and Alvin Otani.

During World War II, as a young child growing up near a military base, she could hear U.S. war planes bombing the nearby base as the planes flew overhead. She remembered being frightened as she and her family hid in their basement. When the bomb hit Hiroshima 23 miles away, she recalled seeing a flash from the bombing. In teen years, mom was active in sports, especially volleyball which she enjoyed watching on TV later in life.

On February 8, 1954, she married Yo Otani at the American Consulate in Fukuoka, Japan and came to the United States on June 16, 1954, and was the mother to her four children, one with special needs.

In the 60's, we had a small egg farm in Petaluma where she drove the family jeep with us huddled in the back heading out to gather the eggs. She worked at the Len Art Company as a seamstress and at the Poly-Vue Plastics Company (currently the Lagunitas site) where she met many of her friends with whom she shared a variety of homemade ethnic foods. She was for many years a member of the Enmanji Buddhist Temple where she participated in many fundraising events most notably their annual bazaar. Movie night at the Temple hall gave her an opportunity to socialize and bond with other Japanese speaking neighbors who had similar experiences since leaving their native homeland. She enjoyed spending time with family on summer trips to Lake Tahoe, houseboating trips to Lake Shasta and to the Grand Canyon/Las Vegas areas when two of her sisters from Japan were able to visit her.

Since residing in Petaluma in 1954, she had traveled back to Iwakuni many times throughout the years to visit her mother and siblings. In particular, she had planned to travel by car throughout Japan with her closest sister Kimi.

The ocean beach was a favorite spot of wonderful memories of fishing, clam digging, and picnics for mom. In the evenings she enjoyed playing Hana (Japanese cards) with close family friends. Although she enjoyed the many family barbeques with close friends, she also loved working in her garden and the solace it brought her. She specifically cherished her flower gardens which she had beautifully photographed. She enjoyed reading her many Japanese books that had been given to her by friends who had passed away. She loved watching cars through binoculars traveling up and down the Sonoma Mountains from her recliner in the living room while waiting for her favorite TV programs, particularly Sumo wrestling, women's volleyball, and Judge Judy.

She was the primary caregiver to our father, who in his later years suffered from Parkinson's disease and dementia, and also to our sister with special needs. After the passing of dad, she began to suffer from many of her own chronic medical issues, and she faced each treatment with grace, strength and resilience. We, her adult children, admired our mother's courage and couldn't imagine our lives without her smile, laughter, and kindness. We honor her memory and will never forget her.

We would like to thank our devoted caregivers Tess, Milli and Lite who helped us as her health slowly declined and to thank the staff at Wellbound Satellite Healthcare of Santa Rosa, especially Dr. Barrow, Karen, RN, Andrik, and Marisol.

A private memorial service will be held at Parent Sorensen Mortuary.