Yukiko Shirley Mertens

Yukiko Mertens was born in Tokyo and was raised in Chiba, Japan. She often reflected on fond memories of playing in the ocean using a tomato as a ball, only to enjoy it as a delicious snack at the end of the day. Despite objections from her parents, she had strong aspirations of playing the piano and would sneak into the music room at school to practice. Her childhood was interrupted by war. She told stories of using some part of the bombs that were dropped by warplanes to cook meals. She enjoyed chocolates brought home by her father, and helped her mother raise her sister, Harue, and brother, Hirobumi. As she grew into adulthood, she worked long days, but enjoyed free time at coffee shops. She was a strong-willed fighter who stood up alongside her friends, demanding women's rights at the Japanese government pension office. In 1965, she married her husband, Reid, a G.I. who brought her home to the United States. Her decision to marry a gaijin wasn't a popular one, yet she stood by her decision and was proud to call herself an American. She managed to raise four rambunctious boys who all graduated college. When her house quieted down, she was able to return to creating art, eventually releasing a collective works in Japan. She also has her artwork featured on the internet. She laid her husband to rest in July, 2010, telling him that it was okay for to go because he did a good job as a husband and father. When she learned of her terminal condition, she lamented and wished to have seen her homeland and family one more time. Her final moments echoed her strength, tenacity, and independence. She will be missed by her sister, brother, four sons and their spouses, three grandchildren, and the others who got to know her.She is survived by her sons, Kevin David Mertens, Paul William Mertens, Michael Edward Mertens and Julian Robert Mertens; brother, Hirobumi Oka; sister, Harue Takenochi and grandchildren, Jessica Mertens, Jamie Mertens and Annika Mertens.