Tomoko (Ikuma) Tao
Obituary
Tomoko (nee Ikuma) Tao, a native of Watsonville passed away Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Santa Clara, CA at the age of 95. Born on the shores of Pinto Lake, she moved to Pajaro and attended elementary school. The family was forced to leave the West Coast during WWII and incarcerated in Poston, AZ concentration camp for 4 years. Following the war, the Ikuma family moved to Clovis, CA. Tomoko graduated from Clovis High School in 1948 and went onto seamstress and dress making trade school. In 1962 she married Tom Tao and returned to Watsonville.
While raising her two children, Ryan and Pearl, she ran a home dress making and alteration business. From her extensive knowledge of sewing, she went to work at Hart's Fabric in Watsonville and Santa Cruz until its closing. She finished her career at Beverly's Fabrics in Capitola. After the death of her husband in 1984 Tomoko managed her family, worked full time, maintained her home business and was able to put both of her children through school. Despite her small stature she had an amazing resolve and an understated tenacity.
She was preceded in death by her husband Tom Tao and brother Harry Ikuma. Survived by her children Ryan (Janell) Tao, Pearl Tao, grandsons Jeremy and Garrett Tao and siblings Kikue Sugai, Yukio Ikuma, Mary Love and Mac Ikuma.
A memorial will be held at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple June 14, 2025 at 11am.
Published in The Pajaronian · June 2, 2025