Ryoko Yamaguchi

Ryoko Yamaguchi, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2025, at the age of 79.

Born in Hokkaido, Japan, in 1945, Ryoko had an adventurous spirit and a deep love for literature. She earned a degree in Japanese literature before moving to the United States in the 1960s, where she built a life filled with love, friendship, and laughter. While working as a waitress in Manhattan, she met the love of her life, Masakatsu “Mike” Yamaguchi. They married in 1969 and shared over 50 years of love, travel, and great food.

In 1980, she became a mother to Yuka, a role she embraced with devotion and warmth. Their home in Closter, New Jersey, became a gathering place for family, friends, and neighbors, where Ryoko’s humor, generosity, and kindness made everyone feel welcome. She had an open heart and an open door, always ready to share a meal, a story, or a laugh.

In 2015, Ryoko and Mike moved to California to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law, Rob. Soon after, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a challenge she faced with strength and grace. Despite her illness, she continued to find joy in life, traveling to Europe, embracing her role as a grandmother to James and later Lucas, and cherishing time with her loved ones.

Ryoko is survived by her devoted husband Mike, her daughter Yuka, son-in-law Rob, and her grandsons, James and Lucas.  She was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed, but her warmth, laughter, and kindness will live on in all who knew her.

A memorial service will be held at 5 PM on February 8, 2025 at Sneider, Sullivan, O’Connell’s Funeral Home in San Mateo, California. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her honor to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.