Ayako Takahashi, 1924-2012

Yesterday my wife's mother, Dr. Ayako Takahashi, died at the age of 87 in Kawagoe, Japan. Yoshiko was able to spend the final days and hours at her mother's side as was always her wish. I shuttled back and forth to Tokyo to manage things at home but visited her frequently.

Yoshiko's mother was born Ayako Kamei on December 19, 1924 and raised in Tokyo. She studied to become an ophthalmologist, a specialty that Yoshiko also followed in her professional career. She married another doctor, Takashi Takahashi and moved to Iwai in the Ibaraki Prefecture where they raised two daughters. Like my own mother (who was coincidentally born six months earlier), she balanced her family responsibilities with the chance to work her profession at the family clinic. She had immense pride in Yoshiko's decision to study medicine. Yoshiko talks fondly about how her mother supported her during the toughest times as a medical student, often coming to Tokyo to cook meals and staying with her throughout the night.

As a mother, she suffered the greatest loss a parent can experience when Yoshiko's sister, Yuriko, died unexpectedly at the prime of her life. I never spoke directly to her about Yuriko but I never had to. I saw it in her eyes. From everything Yoshiko says about Yuriko and the photos I have seen, I would have enjoyed meeting her and having her as a sister-in-law. I am happy they are finally together again.

Ayako Takahashi was a very private person but welcomed me as family and she and I kept a close bond to the very end. She entrusted me with the greatest gift and I will always miss her.