Harue Mae Ninomiya

A diminutive legend in Portland’s Asian American community died peacefully at her home.   Described as  “an irrepressible optimist through troubled times, a tireless volunteer helping the needy, and a gentle instructor in the Asian arts”...she was a pillar of the community who was always giving of herself.

Born to Hidekichi and Tetsuno Okazaki, immigrants from Okayama, Japan, Harue was given the name “Mae” by her English teacher.  Mae’s early life was filled with challenges of being different.  She never thought of this as a handicap but as a positive advantage and thus raised her four children on the principle on making the most of who they were and not what they were not.

A graduate from Jefferson High School, she helped her parents at their grocery store, Lombard Food Center in North Portland.  During WWII, she and her family were relocated to Minidoka where she married Nagao “Nug” (deceased).

Mae worked as a grocery clerk, sold mutual funds, a teacher’s aide at James John Elementary School and a bookkeeper at Madison High School.  After all of her children completed college, Mae decided to complete her college education.  At age 70, she received her BS from Portland State University.

Mae was active in the Japanese American community as a founding member of the Veleda Club, a Board Member of Nikkei Jin Kai, Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, Japanese Garden Society and Ikebana International.

Mae enjoyed making origami and donated paper Santas to the kids at Shriner’s, Doernbecher, and Emanuel Hospitals and the Japanese Garden.  Her life also evolved around flowers, and for years she went around to elementary schools to teach ikebana.

Awards and recognitions include Honored Elder Award by the Asian Reporter Foundation, Help Hospital Veterans Award, 2003, Japanese American National Museum Special Recognition, 1995, Madison High School Certificate of Appreciation, 1999, Portland Bentham Lions, Oregon Lions Sight Award, 2003-2004. Portland Nikkei Community “People Who Make a Difference” Award, 2004, Portland Public Schools Volunteer Services Award, 1999 – 2000 and the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Distinguished Citizen’s Award  2006.

Mae is survived by her children, Rodney, Ricki, Radine Takeuchi (Lynn) Randy (Norma), three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Kenton Presbyterian Church on Saturday November 14, at 2 pm, located at 2115 N. Lombard Street, Portland,OR,97217.

Donations can be made to Ikebana International Chapter #47, The Oregon Legacy Center or Johrei Fellowship Center.