Obituary of Takako Simms

Takako E. Simms, 91, of Prundale passed away peacefully in her sleep on Christmas morning, December 25th, 2017. She was born on October 21st, 1926, the eldest of four daughters to Ketsuyo and Kou Enomoto of Tokyo, Japan. During her school years, Takako was a brilliant student and a high achiever, excelling in all of her subjects. She attended the University of Tokyo where she received a degree in accounting, and then took a position as an accountant at a firm there. When her father, a stone mason, suddenly died at work, Takako being the eldest, took over as head of the household and supported the entire family. This is customary in Japan's family traditions. She then met and married her husband, Edward L. Simms and later gave birth to their eldest daughter, Jacqueline, and then they all came to the United States. Later, she applied for U.S. citizenship, which she received and was very proud of her accomplishment. She immediately sought employment as a seamstress, and although she spoke very little English, was determined to learn the language while working. In 1982, she landed a position for a notable dress designer and manufacturer, Albert Nipon (exclusive name at the time). The entrusted her to sew sample garments which were to be shown on the runways of a New York fashion show. Takako was truly excellent in here craft, she was a longtime member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union and AARP. She later retired after 35 years. Takako's passions and hobbies were listening to spiritual, popular, and Japanese music and songs. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, gardening, origami, and reading Japanese novels. She also enjoyed watching Japanese videos and baseball games, her favorites were the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Her kindness to her family and friends were overwhelming and she also loved animals, especially her two pets, Jasper and Kitty, they are going to miss her a lot. Takako was a devout Christian and gave her life to God, she remained a member of her church, Lincoln Presbyterian Church of Salinas until her health failed her and she could no longer attend Bible study or services, but her faith in God remained strong. Takako is survived by her oldest daughter, Jaqueline Melvin of Salinas, her youngest daughter, Linda M. Stubblefield of Prunedale, three grandchildren, David E. Melvin of Colorado, Lindsay E. Stubblefield of Santa Cruz, and Shannon A. Stubblefield of San Diego and two son-in-laws of Salinas. She is also survived by her two sisters, Shizuku Nakajima of Kanagawa-Kawasaki City, Japan, and Kiyoko Enomoto of Shinegawa City, Japan, and a host of nieces, nephews, grand-neices and grand-nephews in Japan and the U.S., Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. Takako was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Edwards L. Simms; her parents; grandparents; great aunts and uncles of Shuakawago (Japan's countryside); her nephew Sakei of Tokyo; her sister, Masue Lee of Pennsylvania, and her two nieces Delores Lee-Montgomery of Virginia; and Brenda Lee of Pennsylvania.