Toshiko Mabuchi Waddell, age 83, ended her valiant battle with cancer on Sunday, June 15, 2014 at Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, Nebraska.
She was born January 10, 1931, in Tokyo, Japan, to Kunijiro and Kondo (Matsu) Mabuchi.
In 1957 she married her life partner, Richard Waddell. Their beloved son, Mark Waddell, was born in 1965.
One of Toshi’s proudest moments was when she was naturalized on November, 1962, in Ephrata, Washington. Being a citizen of the United States was important to her.
Toshi was a legend for her extraordinary sewing skills. She also was an exceptional cake decorator and Japanese doll maker. Throughout the years she taught 4-H girls and will be remembered affectionately by so many of them. She is one of the last seamstresses who made house calls. If customers could not come to her, she went to them. Her customers became her friends.
She is survived by her son Mark of Chino Hills, California; sisters Yasuyo Inaba and Chiyoko Mabuchi, and nieces and nephews, all living in Japan; special adopted family Georgia and Jerry Overstreet, their children Tracy Gartner (Glen) of Grand Island, Nebraska; Lee Overstreet (Melisa) of Lanesville, Indiana, and their children Carly and Claire Gartner, and Roman and Avy Overstreet.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one sister, and two brothers.
Memorial services will be Friday, June 20, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel with Rev. Cheryl Harris officiating. Private burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery.
Memorials are to Jane’s Closet, RSVP, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.