June 09, 1923 - December 29, 2021
Hanae June Watanabe, age 98 passed away on Dec. 29, 2021. She was born on June 9, 1923 in Stockton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Matsujiro and Haruye Kato; her husband of 41 years, Yutaka Watanabe; brothers Masanori Kato, Masao Kato, Masayoshi Kato, and Koomei Kato and sisters, Shizue Ito and Yoshie Nagata.
She attended August School and Stockton High School. She graduated from high school in 1943 while incarcerated with her family at Tule Lake, where she worked as a Nurse's Aid. At the end of World War II, the Kato family returned to Lodi. There, she met her future husband, Yutaka Watanabe. The couple moved to Stockton, where they were married on March 27, 1948.
Hanae was lovingly called "He-Bachan," by her grandchildren and great grandchildren, which in Japanese means Great Grandmother.
She enjoyed coin collecting and Princess Diana memorabilia. She loved her weekly dinner and Rummikub game nights at her daughter and son-in-law's house. She always remembered all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren's birthdays.
Hanae was a devoted member of the Stockton Buddhist Temple, where she was active with the Tomo No Kai, Adult Buddhist Association, Aichi Shinboku Kai, and Stockton Women's Buddhist Association. She also enjoyed her weekly Craft Day at the church on Tuesday's with her friends.
She is survived by her sister, Teruko Sato, and sisters in law, Wanda Kato and Haruyo Kato, brothers in law, Jim Watanabe, and Takashi (Anne) Watanabe.
Hanae is also survived by her children: Jean Carter, George Watanabe, (Judy), Barbara Takemoto (Stephen), Ruby Yamada (Harold), grandchildren: Mariko Park (Eugene), Stephanie Moyer (Tim), Kori Carter (Kim), Craig Takemoto, Jennifer Haynes (Ken), and Kevin Yamada (Melanie), great grandchildren: Arlynn & Aydenn Moeun, Emiko, Blake, & Benjamin Moyer, Nicholas Takemoto, Keiko Haynes, Keona Park, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Hospice of San Joaquin for their loving care and support of our mom during her last days.
A private service is pending. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to Hospice of San Joaquin, 3888 Pacific Ave. Stockton, CA 95204 or Buddhist Church of Stockton, 2820 Shimizu Dr. Stockton, CA 95203.