Michiko Dorris

My mom Michiko Dorris, was born July 31, 1931, in Formosa, a former name for the island of Taiwan. She lived there until about 1945. Her family was returned to Japan after Chiang Kai-shek took over. She was unable to complete school because being the middle child and a female, she had to go to work to help support the family. She worked in the "Black Market" selling cigarettes, nigiri sushi, etc., to put food on the family table, while her siblings went off to school. She met my Dad in 1955. They were married 3/25/1957, just short of 62 years. Japan was in recovery mode, and she saw marrying an American as her way to a better life. She became a Japanese War Bride. She worked hard to become an American Citizen, going to night school. She translated everything they taught her into Japanese so she could learn. She was proud to become an American but was still Japanese through and through. She worked in a box manufacturing facility her whole life here in the States. She was strong-willed, stoic, never complained, hugely generous and quick to smile. She loved her family, especially "her boys" Connor (great-grandson), Christopher and Ryan (Grandsons) and Grand-daughters-in-law. She was at peace knowing that the boys wives would take care of them. In the end, she told Jerry, you are my favorite Son-in-law because she knew when she left her daughter would be taken care of. Her favorite pastime was gambling. Penny machines were her favorite things. The family joke is she had a "pecking order": Gambling, food, Great-grandson, grandsons, daughter, and husband. We all knew our place. When my Dad would give her a kiss, she would wipe away the spot where he kissed her and say "cooties", with a big smile on her face. When she was nearing the end, she would look around the room and ask me, "Where he"? Always looking for my Dad, her protector. Visitation Sierra Memorial Chapel Mortuary 951-687-0551 | Friday 3/22, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Cemetery Olivewood Memorial Park. 3300 Central Ave. Riverside, CA 92506 951-683-6611 | Friday 3/22, 1:30 pm