Fumiko (Takahashi) Dirkx died Wednesday, December 8, 2010, in Portland, Oregon. Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1930, Fumiko married Peter Cornelius Dirkx in 1957 and then immigrated to America in 1959. Her life as a naval officer's wife took her from the West Coast to the East Coast and back again over the first 10 years of her marriage. During this period she became an accomplished homemaker and mother of four children, cared for numerous pets, obtained American citizenship, and all prior to obtaining a driver's license. In the subsequent decades, she helped to prepare all four of her children for college and began her lifelong passion for tennis. She belonged to the Meadowbrook Tennis Club in Monterey, California and later to the Bonita Valley Tennis Club. She was known for her spirited play and double-handed backhand. In 2005, Fumiko moved to the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon. With loving kindness, she helped to raise two of her four grandchildren, Jacob and Jeremy. Her help with homework was especially appreciated because both boys attend a Japanese immersion elementary school and the homework is written in Japanese. She maintained and enjoyed close friendships in the states of Oregon, Washington, Arizona and California. She frequented the Portland Chinese Tea Garden and was anticipating her next belt in Tai Chi. Fumiko is survived by her son and his wife, Robert and Laura Cannon Dirkx; her son, Joseph; her daughter and her husband, Cynthia Dirkx and Kevin Fort; her son and his wife, James and Tonja Cross Dirkx; grandchildren Sophia and Rachel Fort, and Jacob and Jeremy Dirkx; and her former spouse and his wife, Peter and Bonnie SinClair Dirkx. Her unexpected, yet peaceful passing is the source of deep sadness for her family and friends. She is remembered for her unbending fortitude, clear and independent thinking, and delicious Japanese cooking. Fumiko, you were an amazing mother, loving grandmother and devoted friend. You are deeply missed.
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"Fumie Is my much loved and missed Mother-in-Law"
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"Fumie Is my much loved and missed Mother-in-Law"
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Fumiko (Takahashi) Dirkx died Wednesday, December 8, 2010, in Portland, Oregon. Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1930, Fumiko married Peter Cornelius Dirkx in 1957 and then immigrated to America in 1959. Her life as a naval officer's wife took her from the West Coast to the East Coast and back again over the first 10 years of her marriage. During this period she became an accomplished homemaker and mother of four children, cared for numerous pets, obtained American citizenship, and all prior to obtaining a driver's license. In the subsequent decades, she helped to prepare all four of her children for college and began her lifelong passion for tennis. She belonged to the Meadowbrook Tennis Club in Monterey, California and later to the Bonita Valley Tennis Club. She was known for her spirited play and double-handed backhand. In 2005, Fumiko moved to the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon. With loving kindness, she helped to raise two of her four grandchildren, Jacob and Jeremy. Her help with homework was especially appreciated because both boys attend a Japanese immersion elementary school and the homework is written in Japanese. She maintained and enjoyed close friendships in the states of Oregon, Washington, Arizona and California. She frequented the Portland Chinese Tea Garden and was anticipating her next belt in Tai Chi. Fumiko is survived by her son and his wife, Robert and Laura Cannon Dirkx; her son, Joseph; her daughter and her husband, Cynthia Dirkx and Kevin Fort; her son and his wife, James and Tonja Cross Dirkx; grandchildren Sophia and Rachel Fort, and Jacob and Jeremy Dirkx; and her former spouse and his wife, Peter and Bonnie SinClair Dirkx. Her unexpected, yet peaceful passing is the source of deep sadness for her family and friends. She is remembered for her unbending fortitude, clear and independent thinking, and delicious Japanese cooking. Fumiko, you were an amazing mother, loving grandmother and devoted friend. You are deeply missed.
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"Fumie Is my much loved and missed Mother-in-Law"
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"Fumie Is my much loved and missed Mother-in-Law"
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