With heavy hearts we mourn the passing of Yoshie Suzuki Morey, a long-time Milford resident. Yoshie passed away at Holy Trinity in Worcester MA on December 31, 2024. Yoshie was born on January 17, 1936 in Ashikaga in the Tochigi Prefecture in Japan to Akiko and Shuzo Suzuki.
When the war came to Tokyo in 1945, Yoshie was only nine years old. She lost many people that she knew, and it dramatically changed the way she saw the world and inspired her to want more. Yoshie a strong-willed woman found love with an American in Japan and made the bold decision to marry. Even though her family pleaded with her not to leave, Yoshie took on moving to the US with grit and determination. She had to fit into a new culture, go to school to learn new skills and she started a family. After a number of years Yoshie divorced. Yoshie worked tirelessly to support herself and her three children.
Yoshie had many jobs over the years; hairdresser, computer programmer, CNA, and working in the endoscopy unit at the Metrowest hospital in Natick. Yoshie worked so much that the only way you knew her was from one of her jobs. She finally retired at 80 years old. For years Yoshie traveled and spent time with her friends going places such as Maine, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland. Finally, after more than four decades Yoshie decided to return to Japan for a visit. She traveled with her youngest son Tom to see her family. The reunion was joyous! Yoshie was always very active enjoying ballroom dancing and bike riding along the Cape Cod Canal. She loved to work in her yard and spent many hours outside gardening.
Yoshie lived life so energetically that one of her dearest friends referred to her as the energizer bunny. She was very involved with the Milford Senior Center where she enjoyed Tai Chi and many exercise classes. So many people knew her from working in the store and at the front desk.
She leaves behind many friends from the Senior Center including Sandy, Pat, and Joyce. Yoshie leaves her three children Cyndi Swenson of Worcester, Ken Morey and his partner Michelle Sherillo of Webster, Ma, Tom Morey of Chazy NY, grandchildren Bill Swenson and his wife Stacie of Flowermound, TX, Ashlee James and her husband Christos of Worcester, Ma, and two great grandchildren Alexander and Mariah James. She is predeceased by her granddaughter Jamie Lee Cruz. In Japan, Yoshie is survived by her sister Yasuko and brother Takaki along with nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her sister Masako.
In accordance with her wishes cremation has taken place and there are no services planned at this time.